Unification official cites water hygiene, climate as priorities in int'l cooperation with NK

Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung delivers a speech at the inaugural Korean War Abductees Remembrance Day event held at Imjingak Peace Park in the border city of Paju, Gyeonggi Province, June 28. Yonhap

Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung cited food security, water hygiene and climate, Friday, as among the top priorities for potential international cooperation projects with North Korea, pledging to revive dialogue channels with Pyongyang to facilitate its participation.

Kim made the remarks in his congratulatory speech at the International Conference of Northeast Asia Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Network.

"SDGs, including those on water hygiene, climate, ecosystems and disasters, are priority tasks where the international community can cooperate with North Korea," the vice minister said.

"While working to restore inter-Korean communication channels to facilitate cooperation in various sectors, (the government) plans to encourage North Korea's participation by promoting multilateral cooperation with neighboring countries," he noted.

Kim also pledged to seek practical ways to improve the quality of life for North Koreans, including on climate issues, in cooperation with the international community.