Regular Briefing by Spokesperson Yoon Min Ho

Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.

1. Minister's Schedule

Minister Chung Dongyoung will attend the National Assembly's interpellation session today at 2 P.M.

On February 10, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will attend the cabinet meeting.

At 3 P.M., Minister Chung will sit down for a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

At 7 P.M., Minister Chung will deliver congratulatory remarks at a mass for reconciliation and unity of the Korean people hosted by the Seoul Archdiocese of the Catholic Church of Korea.

On February 11, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will pay a courtesy visit to President of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism.

On February 12, at 10 A.M., Minister Chung will hold a meeting with heads of Hana Centers (regional adaptation centers for North Korean defectors).

2. Vice Minister's Schedule

Vice Minister Kim Nam Jung will attend the vice ministers' conference on February 12, at 10 A.M.

At 2:30 P.M. and 4:30 P.M., respectively, Vice Minister Kim will visit the family of an abductee and a welfare facility on the occasion of the Lunar New Year's Day.

3. Q&A

Q. Kim Jong Un marked the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army with a visit to the Ministry of National Defence, during which he underscored the role of the military. What is the Unification Ministry's assessment of the reason behind this move?

A. DPRK president of state affairs Kim Jong Un visited the Ministry of National Defence on February 8 to mark the anniversary of its people's army for the third consecutive year. His remarks focused primarily on encouraging the military and did not contain any messages directed toward the South or the international community.

Q. Regarding the North's party congress expected to take place in late February, is there anything in particular that the Ministry is looking into?

A. At a politburo meeting on February 7, the North announced plans to convene its 9th party congress in late February. Preparations for the congress are expected to proceed, including the completion of targeted construction projects and the assembly of congress participants in Pyeongyang. The Ministry will closely monitor related developments.

Q. Why was the exact date of the congress not specified at the politburo meeting?

A. Rather than speculating on the reason, the Ministry notes that a similar approach was taken during the 8th party congress, when the schedule was announced only in broad terms, such as "early January." The Ministry will refrain from making assumptions about the North's intentions.

Q. The Unification Ministry has begun this year's call for proposals for a program designed to support civil society initiatives promoting unification. When outlining the program last year, the Ministry said it would replace the previous North Korean human rights support program while still covering human rights and humanitarian assistance projects. However, today's press release makes no reference to human rights among the listed project categories. Does this indicate that North Korean human rights will be excluded?

A. Allow me to confirm the details with the relevant department and follow up as appropriate.

Q. Some view that the timing of North Korea's party congress may be somewhat later than previously expected. How does the Unification Ministry assess this?

A. The North has announced that the party congress will take place in late February. The Ministry currently does not have information on the exact timing, and will continue to observe developments.