The following is a press briefing by Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung at the press center in the Lotte Hotel, downtown Seoul, Monday on the 2007 inter-Korean Summit.. ED
Only one day is left before the 2007 inter-Korean Summit. It has been 55 days exactly as of Monday since Aug. 8 when both Koreas first made official announcements on the holding of the inter-Korean summit.
The summit was delayed until Oct. 2-4 due to the latest floods that hit North Korea. I understand that the members of the press may have had a hard time covering matters related to the inter-Korean summit.
Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the citizens and journalists alike for having helped the government make successful preparations for the summit with your cooperation.
We have so far briefed the citizens of the country on the government’s preparations for the summit and gathered public opinion on about 80 occasions. In the process, we have been able to confirm the high expectations and interest the people at home and abroad have for the summit.
On the basis of the wide participation and with the support of public opinion, especially, the government has been pushing for all procedures of the summit, in accordance with legal procedures and institutional frameworks as provided by the “Inter-Korean Relations Development Act.”
Besides, the government has consulted with foreign missions here through meetings with mission chiefs and in contacts with the representatives of the diplomatic corps in Seoul regarding its preparations for the summit.
Especially, the government has sought support and cooperation for the summit also through separate meetings President Roh Moo-hyun held with the presidents of many countries during the APEC forum.
At the same time, the government has set up task forces at various government agencies related to the summit, checking and overhauling their preparations in as many as 10 joint conferences. As such, we have been making systematic preparations for the summit on a pan-governmental basis.
Today, we opened the Press Center. And I feel that the summit is really in progress, since I am now meeting you, journalists, here at the Press Center.
From this Press Center, historic moments of the inter-Korean summit will be broadcast to the people all over the world, as well as to our citizens.
We hope that the upcoming inter-Korean summit will successfully attain long-range aspiration of both Koreas for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula at the summit, pooling all potential and wisdom that we have accumulated so far.
The time from now on is really important. I am asking you for much cooperation in the future, too. We would now like to give you a detailed briefing on the preparation for the inter-Korean summit: In addition, we are in close contact with the Seoul situation room situated on the 3rd floor at the Lotte Hotel, which started its work from 3 p.m. today for liaison business.
Also, the Seoul situation room will have strategic meetings attended by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Chairman Moon Jae-in of the Preparation Committee for the 2007 South-North Korean Summit, and the vice unification minister and the vice financeeconomy minister as well as other related vice ministers, Members of the special entourage will have discussions separately with their North Korean counterparts about the topics in seven areas.
The government will make efforts to reach agreements within the framework of our historical mission and capabilities.
While discussing issues frankly and comprehensively, the leaders of two Koreas will pursue the resolution of pending issues related to South-North relations on the basis of mutual trust. And pave the way for the next administration to
promote South-North relations in a stable manner. South and North Korea have held 195 official meetings over the past seven years. By regularizing and institutionalizing inter-Korean talks, we will be able to broaden the communication channels between the two Koreas. On this basis, we believe it is very important to develop inter-Korean relations in a stable manner.
What is most important in speeding up the envisioned peace process is how we will be able to turn the current armistice or Cold War regime into a lasting peace. We think the two leaders will engage in in-depth discussions over this matter.
Secondly, we face the task of laying the groundwork for construction of a South-North economic community by expediting development and investment.
In this regard, the two Koreas have already begun projects for the joint development of natural resources.
Thirdly, the coming inter-Korean summit needs to create a virtuous circle to form a situation conducive to the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue through the six-party talks and the development of inter-Korean relations.
We hope the six-party talks now being held in Beijing will bear fruit. We believe inter-Korean talks coupled with multilateral negotiations will help expedite the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
In this context, we will call for measures so that the agreement reached by the six nations involved will be implemented smoothly through the upcoming South-North Korean summit.