Government Spokesperson Gu Byung-sam: “The government’s proposal to North Korea is a sincere offer”
North Korean media: “Unacceptable loss of life occurred”
→Change to “There have been no casualties”
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, ‘The Unification Ministry reiterated its position that it was a sincere proposal for aid to North Korea and expressed hope for a response.’,
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| Government spokesperson Gu Byung-sam briefing on current affairs at the Seoul Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu on the morning of the 5th. Regarding North Korea’s announcement of deploying newly produced advanced ballistic missiles near the border, Gu Byung-sam stated, “The government is closely monitoring North Korea’s weapons production process with relevant agencies.” Yonhap News |
, ‘ On the 5th, during a regular briefing, Gu Byung-sam, a spokesman for the Ministry of Unification, responded to a question about North Korea’s hostile reaction, stating that North Korea has not officially responded to the South’s aid proposal.’,
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, ‘ The spokesperson stated, “There has been no official response from the North to our flood aid proposal. We will not speculate on the situation, and we hope that North Korea will respond positively as we have made the proposal with sincerity.” Emphasizing that this proposal is not a formality.’,
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, ‘ Massive flooding occurred in Shinuiju, North Pyongan Province, downstream of the Yalu River on July 27. The Ministry of Unification expressed its intention to provide flood aid to North Korea through the Red Cross on the 1st of last month. Although the inter-Korean communication channel is not operational due to North Korea’s rejection, the Unification Ministry continues to attempt communication twice a day at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, visited a helicopter unit engaged in flood rescue activities on the day after the aid proposal was made, stating that North Korea’s enemies are speculating that there may be over 1,000 or 1,500 casualties in our affected areas. He also made remarks criticizing South Korea. His remarks were interpreted as a de facto negative response to the government’s aid proposal.’,
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| The North Korean Labor Party’s organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the 3rd that “Comrade Kim Jong-un congratulated the Air Force helicopter unit of the Korean People’s Army, which created a miracle of aerial search and rescue activities on the 2nd.” Here, General Kim claimed that there was not a single casualty from the flooding in Shinuiju and dismissed as “propaganda of Seoul’s plot” speculations that there would be over 1,000 casualties. Pyongyang Workers’ Newspaper=News1 |
, ‘ Amid continued speculative reporting due to North Korea’s failure to disclose the scale of casualties, on the 3rd, North Korea announced for the first time that 4,200 people were rescued by helicopter in Shinuiju, and a total of 5,000 people were saved by rescuers and other means, with not a single loss of life.’,
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, ‘ The news agency reported, “Comrade Kim Jong-un said that in Shinuiju, where the greatest damage occurred due to flooding that caused a record amount of rainfall and rapid increase in water inflow due to floods, not a single life was lost. He emphasized that within a few hours, more than 4,200 were rescued by small helicopters, and various units engaged in water rescue operations saved a total of over 5,000 people, which can only be described as truly miraculous.”‘,
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, ‘ However, in a report by the Korean Central News Agency on July 31, it was reported that “Comrade Kim Jong-un emphasized that those who caused unacceptable casualties in carrying out their duties would be strictly punished,” revealing that casualties did occur. The U.S.-based North Korean media Radio Free Asia reported that a lot of casualties occurred in Wehado, a downstream island located in the lower reaches of the Yalu River.’,
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