Summary of inter-Korean news this week

SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Yonhap) — The following is a summary of inter-Korean news this week.

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Library on unification, N. Korea to open in Goyang in 2027

SEOUL — A four-story library specializing in unification and North Korea will open in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, in 2027, the unification ministry said Friday.

Construction of the unification information center will begin Monday with a total budget of 48.4 billion won (US$33.8 million), aiming to launch it in the first half of 2027, according to the ministry.

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Unification minister vows full efforts to stably manage situation with N. Korea

SEOUL — Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho pledged on Tuesday to make his utmost efforts in managing the security situation with North Korea, as South Korea grapples with the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched declaration of martial law last week.

“As unification minister and a member of the Cabinet, I deeply feel a sense of responsibility for the situation facing South Korea,” Kim said in a text message sent to reporters. “With a heavy heart, I give my word of apology to the people.”

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Australia-based S. Korean reunites with separated relatives in N. Korea in Oct.: Seoul

SEOUL — A South Korean national residing in Australia traveled to North Korea and met with two nephews in October in the first privately arranged separated families reunion in five years, the South Korean unification ministry said Tuesday.

The 80-something person, who also holds Australian citizenship, reported the North Korean trip to the ministry following the reunion, ministry officials said.

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(LEAD) Ex-defense minister ordered drone infiltration to Pyongyang in Oct.: lawmaker

SEOUL — The South Korean military flew drones over Pyongyang in October at the order of then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently under investigation for his involvement in the martial law declaration, a lawmaker said Monday.

Citing a tip-off from within the military, Rep. Park Beom-kye of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) made the claim, saying that the alleged drone infiltrations may have been part of preparations for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration.
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