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Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, the chief government official handling inter-Korean relations, made the decision not to attend an event Tuesday commemorating the tenth anniversary of the June 15 inter-Korean summit. This marks the second time a Unification Minister has not attended a June 15 commemorative event since the Lee Myung-bak administration came into office. The June 15 Inter-Korean Summit 10th Anniversary Commemorative Event Committee plans to hold an academic conference and dinner Tuesday afternoon at Seoul’s Grand Hilton Hotel, with the motto, “Let Us Return to June 15.”

During a briefing Monday morning, Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said, “Due to previously scheduled events, the minister and vice minister Uhm Jong-sik are currently unable to attend the June 15 Joint Declaration tenth anniversary commemorative event organized by the Kim Dae Jung Peace Center.”

The ministry explained that Hyun must attend a National Assembly question-and-answer session in the foreign affairs, unification and national security ministries on Tuesday, while Uhm was previously invited to attend a consolation event for elderly separated families that will be taking place in Sokcho on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, the Ministery of Unification released a notice at 6 p.m. on June 14 that Uhm would attend the event to be held the next day.

During the eighth anniversary event commemorating the June 15 Joint Declaration in 2008, the first year of the Lee administration, then-Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong, after a convoluted process, finally attended and gave a celebratory address in the capacity of government representative. At last year’s ninth anniversary event, Hyun did not attend because of scheduling factors such as working-level talks for the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Then-Vice Minister Hong Yang-ho did attend, but did not deliver a celebratory address.

Jeong Se-hyun, former Unification Minister and vice president of the Kim Dae Jung Peace Center, was critical of the decision.

“A Unification Ministry spokesman openly stated that ‘we respect the June 15 Joint Declaration,’” said Jeong. “For the minister of unification to say he will not give a celebratory address lasting five minutes or so at the tenth anniversary event because of his schedule at the National Assembly is nothing more than a flimsy excuse.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]