China News Service, Seoul, September 16 (Reporter Zeng Nai) South Korean Unification Minister Lee In Young visited Panmunjom on the border between South Korea and North Korea on the 16th.
He said that the cooperation between South Korea and North Korea will be promoted, and he hopes to restore contact lines including the South Korea-North Korea Liaison Office.
In June of this year, after North Korea announced that it would cut off all communications lines between the DPRK and South Korea and blow up the North-South Korea Joint Office, the relationship between South Korea and North Korea quickly cooled, and South Korea's then Minister of Unification, Kim Rong Tie, resigned.
Li Renrong took office in July and has repeatedly stated that he wants to restore relations between South Korea and North Korea.
On September 16, Li Renrong visited Panmunjom for the first time after taking office.
In September 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Pyongyang, and the leaders of South Korea and North Korea signed the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration.
According to the information provided to reporters by the South Korean Unification Ministry, Lee In Young held a press conference on the same day and said that on the occasion of commemorating the second anniversary of the signing of the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration, it is regrettable that the relationship between South Korea and North Korea has stalled, but the leaders of South Korea and North Korea have done something for peace on the Korean Peninsula. It is still evident that the agreement signed by the two sides plays an important role, such as easing military tensions and keeping the border relatively stable.
Lee In Rong said that South Korea will continue to abide by the previously signed agreement and called on North Korea to continue to abide by the agreement.
Talking about the cooperation between South Korea and North Korea, he said that he would use "small steps" to promote cooperation.
According to reports, after the new crown pneumonia epidemic has stabilized, the South Korean side plans to gradually restore the walking "Peace Trail" within the Korean-North Korean Demilitarized Zone, and will work with the North Korean side to find solutions in multiple areas.
Li Renrong stated that he hoped that the communication lines including the Joint Office between the ROK and the DPRK would return to normal, so that the ROK and the DPRK could resume "open-minded" dialogue as soon as possible, and hold small-scale reunion activities for separated families.
He said that in consultation with the US, South Korea and North Korea should conduct humanitarian cooperation in the fields of public health, epidemic prevention, climate and environment, which will help build mutual trust.
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