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Asia Today reporter Park Sung-il = Ministry of Unification Spokesperson Yoon Min-ho gives a briefing on pending issues at the Government Complex Seoul briefing room in Jongno District, Seoul.

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 31st that it will not attend the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia.

Yoon Min-ho, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, stated during a regular briefing at the government complex that day, "Taking various circumstances into account, the Ministry of Unification will not attend this Eastern Economic Forum."

Regarding the potential attendance of North Korean State Affairs Commission President Kim Jong-un, the spokesperson stated that "nothing has been confirmed," adding that the ministry will closely monitor related developments.

Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young had previously cited the Eastern Economic Forum, opening on the 1st of next month, as an opportunity to break through strained inter-Korean relations. The intention was to expand points of contact with North Korea using the forum as an opportunity, given the gathering of top-level leaders from various nations.

Previously, Minister of Unification Lee In-young attended the Eastern Economic Forum held virtually in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting on "South-North-Russia Tourism and Infrastructure Cooperation." There is also precedent for director-general level officials from the Ministry of Unification attending the forum in person.

                                                                                                            Mok Yong-jae