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South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha holds a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on May 2. (Yonhap News)
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Kang Kyung-wha says humanitarian aid unrelated to political developments
South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha said on May 2 that she “think[s] North Korea should broaden its scope a bit” and consider the issue of resuming dialogue with the US “from a comprehensive perspective.” Kang’s remarks came in response to a question during a briefing in a press conference that morning for the domestic press at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul. When asked whether a resumption of North Korea-US dialogue would require North Korea to make progress with denuclearization or the US to lower its standards, she replied, “The US is basically adopting a comprehensive approach and wants comprehensive dialogue.” Her comments were seen as demanding a change in Pyongyang’s stance for the sake of resuming denuclearization talks with the US and calling on it to broaden its scope from dismantlement of its nuclear facilities at Yongbyon by agreeing to discussions on denuclearization in general. Describing North Korea and the US as being in “a bit of a lull,” Kang added that diplomatic efforts “continue to take place behind the scenes based on the commitment of the South and North Korean and US leaders.” “We’re considering several ideas, including sending a special envoy,” she said. When asked about the possibility of humanitarian aid to the North from the South Korean government, Kang said, “Our basic position is that humanitarian aid has no relation to the political situation.” At the same time, she added, “I believe that the commitment of the international community needs to be there and be harnessed.” While discussions on humanitarian aid were reportedly slated to be discussed in a South Korea-US working group meeting during a visit by US State Department Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun around May 8, the prevailing view in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is that a decision on North Korea aid is unlikely to be forthcoming. Reiterates commitment to “forward-looking” relations with Japan Commenting on the current state of South Korea-Japan relations, Kang said that “some difficulties are persisting due to historical issues,” but stressed that Seoul had a “clear commitment to the forward-looking development of South Korea-Japan relations.” “We will continue to have dialogue between South Korean and Japanese diplomatic authorities to establish momentum for improving relations,” she added. Regarding the move by survivors of forced labor conscription during the Japanese empire to begin procedures to dispose of domestic stocks belonging to Japanese companies, she said, “I do not think it is the administration’s place to involve itself in procedures in which the rights of South Korean citizens are being exercised.” By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
