Press Briefing
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Kim Young-sun
Apr. 12, 2010 14:00 KST


1. Opening Statement

1st Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo will attend the 9th Korea-SICA (Central American Integration 
System) Meeting on Dialogue and Cooperation to be held in Panama on April 20.

The Dialogue and Cooperation Meeting between Korea and SICA, established in 1993 for the political, 
economic integration of Central America, has contributed to strengthening Korea-Central America 
cooperation since 1997 when its inaugural gathering was held.

In the forthcoming Meeting, Vice Minister Shin and his counterparts from Central American countries will 
have a broad discussion on ways to promote cooperation between the two regions, such as in trade and 
investment, in energy and resources, and on the international stage including the UN; and exchanges 
between small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Sakhlin Govenor Khoroshavin will visit Korea on April 12-16.

In addition to paying a courtesy call on the Prime Minister on April 15, the Governor will meet with 1st 
Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo to explore ways that Korea and Sakhlin can bolster cooperation.

Also, Governor Khoroshavin will host explanation sessions on investment in Sakhlin at Seoul’s Grand 
Hyatt Hotel on April 14-15.

Russian government officials and business leaders as well as those from the Korean business circle, 
some 400 in total, will attend the sessions.

The 5th Korea-UK ODA (Official Development Assistance) Policy Consultation will be held in London, 
UK, on April 16. In the Consultation, the two countries will discuss their respective ODA policies and 
cooperation on aid effectiveness. The upcoming event is expected to serve as an opportunity for Korea 
and the UK, both DAC (Development Assistance Committee) and G20 member states, to work more 
closely together in development cooperation.


2. Q&A

[Question]
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that “North Korea has somewhere between one and six 
nuclear weapons,” followed by remarks that “North Korea already has nuclear weapons, and Iran is 
seeking them” in a TV program. To my knowledge, our country has not formally acknowledged North 
Korea’s possession of usable nuclear weapons. Please tell us whether we share the US view 
articulated in Secretary Clinton’s remarks, or whether Korea and the US hold differing views.

[Spokesperson]
I don’t see any gap in Korea-US views. The international community, including Korea and the US, 
maintains a firm stance that North Korea cannot attain the status of a nuclear weapons state, which 
is also stipulated in the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the UN Security Council’s North Korea-related 
Resolutions 1718 and 1874. I think Secretary Clinton made the remarks to emphasize the importance 
of the international efforts to denuclearize North Korea.

[Question]
Please tell us whether our government has a plan to send a condolence delegation to Poland. If so, who 
and how many will comprise it?

[Spokesperson]
The Polish government has yet to set a detailed schedule for the funeral. As soon as it is finalized, our 
delegation members and other details will be decided through consultations with relevant government 
agencies.

[Question]
Don’t you think, then, that Secretary Clinton’s remarks can be regarded as the US’ formal recognition of 
possession of nuclear weapons by North Korea?

[Spokesperson]
I am not in a position to make a detailed interpretation of what Secretary Clinton has said. Yet, looking 
into the context of her remarks, I understand that, citing North Korea and Iran as examples of countries 
in active pursuit of nuclear weapons, she was trying to emphasize the importance of strengthening 
international cooperation to counter moves by such countries.

[Question]
I would like to know what our government makes of the view that North Korea has one to six nuclear 
weapons?

[Spokesperson]
There may be various interpretations and assessments of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. It is the 
government’s position that specifics should be verified through thorough investigation.

[Question]
The 10th round of negotiations on a trilateral investment agreement among Korea, China and Japan was 
held today in Tokyo, Japan. Also, a meeting on East Asian Development among Korea, China and Japan 
took place. Please tell us what progress has been made regarding this.

[Spokesperson]
To speak about investment cooperation among Korea, China and Japan in general, there is, of course, 
a bilateral investment guarantee system, and discussion on trilateral investment guarantee among 
Korea, China and Japan. The three countries are discussing cooperation in a variety of fields based 
on a common understanding that cooperation among Korea, China and Japan, major countries in 
Northeast Asia, is important in East Asian cooperation. Especially, following the Korea-China-Japan 
Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the three-way summit will also be held in Korea this year, so in the course 
of discussions at various levels, discussions and working-level preparations on numerous specific 
measures are underway.

[Question]
The Oegyujanggak volumes were addressed at the Korea-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Has there 
been any progress concerning the issue?

[Spokesperson]
Given past experience, I think it will take a lot of time to resolve the issue of the return of the Oegyujanggak 
volumes. Our government has already delivered its official position to the French government, and Foreign 
Minister Yu also stressed the importance (of the return of the Oegyujanggak volumes) and the Korean 
people’s interest during the French Foreign Minister’s visit to Korea. As the French government is aware 
of the Korean people’s keen interest in the issue and the importance placed on it, as well as our 
government’s official position, I expect the discussions among relevant agencies in the French 
government are ongoing.

[Question]
It seems that Secretary of State Clinton’s mention that North Korea has up to six nuclear weapons 
contradicts the position of the international community, expressed through the UN Security Council, 
that it can not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state. If a country has a nuclear weapon, 
doesn’t it mean it is a nuclear weapons state?

[Spokesperson]
The status as a nuclear weapon state is stipulated in the NPT. As I understand, taking Iran and North 
Korea as an example of countries actively pursing nuclear weapons, Secretary Clinton wanted to stress 
that international efforts and cooperation should be strengthened to denuclearize these countries.

[Question]
As far as I know, the Consulate General of Japan in LA requested the withdrawal of an advertisement on 
Dokdo, made by a Korean living there. Please tell us what our position is regarding this.

[Spokesperson]
We are checking the details. Our government’s basic position on Dokdo remains unchanged. Our basic 
position is that Dokdo is clearly Korean territory in terms of history, geography and international law, and 
our government will deal sternly with any measures that could undermine Korea’s sovereignty over Dokdo.

[Question]
Aren’t there promotional activities on Dokdo going on in foreign countries? What is our position regarding 
this?

[Spokesperson]
We hope that such campaign is run without undermining our sovereignty over Dokdo.

[Question]
What is our government’s position regarding the anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok, Thailand, 
that are becoming more intense? Also, one Japanese journalist died, and haven’t Korean nationals 
suffered any damage?

[Spokesperson]
The anti-government demonstrations in Thailand are heating up. So, our government has raised the 
Travel-alert Level for Bangkok to Level 2 from the previous Level 1 as of April 11.

The most important thing is the safety of Koreans living or traveling overseas. There have been no reports 
of major damage yet, but one Korean has been confirmed to suffer minor injuries. To ensure the safety of 
overseas Koreans, the Korean Embassy to Thailand is currently on emergency duty and providing related 
information through the Korean Association.

[Question]
Was he injured in demonstrations?

[Spokesperson]
It appears that he was hit by a splinter, while walking near the protest.

[Question]
Was he hit by a splinter of something fired by the government forces?

[Spokesperson]
It is not clear. To my knowledge, he was bleeding without even knowing it and taken to a hospital for 
emergency medical care.


* unofficial translation