Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl Jae stated earlier today that
the South Korean government is willing to bring an end to the “May 24th Measures,” a
set of unilateral sanctions imposed on trade and exchanges North Korea following the sinking of the
ROKS Cheonan by a torpedo in March 2010.
Minister Ryoo, asked by a legislative committee on unification and
foreign affairs about the compatibility of President Park Geun Hye’s “Dresden
Declaration” and the ongoing May 24th Measures, told assembled lawmakers, “We
are ready to rescind those measures.”
However, he added, “There are some things that North Korea has to do
for this.”
Ryoo further acknowledged that limits to South Korean freedom
of movement will remain as long as the May 24th Measures are in
place. He asserted that there are many projects that can be undertaken now in order to embody the goals of the Dresden
Declaration, but added that until the May 24th Measures are rescinded, “We cannot
undertake large-scale infrastructure projects.”
