Inter-Korean Leaders Exchange Letters... North Korea's Kim Jong-un Offers Condolences to South Korean Citizens Fighting COVID-19 (Summary)

Yoon Do-han, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the 5th, the Blue House announced that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un sent a letter to President Moon Jae-in on the 4th. Chairman Kim expressed his condolences to the Korean people while mentioning the 'novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)'.

Yoon Do-han, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, held a briefing at the press center that day and stated, "In the letter, Chairman Kim conveyed his condolences to our people who are fighting the COVID-19 virus," adding, "He said, 'I believe we will definitely overcome this.'"

Yoon said, "Chairman Kim also said, 'I hope the precious health of our southern compatriots will be protected,'" and "He expressed concern for President Moon's health, saying he felt regretful about the situation where he could only offer his thoughts." He added, "He said he would quietly support the efforts to definitely overcome the COVID-19 virus and sent unwavering friendship and trust to President Moon."

In particular, Yoon said, "Chairman Kim also shared sincere reflections and his stance regarding the situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula." However, the Blue House did not disclose specific matters contained in the letter, citing diplomatic customs.

Regarding Chairman Kim's letter, President Moon sent a reply letter expressing gratitude on the same day, Yoon conveyed.

This is the first exchange of letters between the South and North Korean leaders since last October, when President Moon sent a condolence letter upon the passing of his mother. It is a rare communication between the two leaders amid the stalemate in North Korea-U.S. talks that have failed to produce results for several months following the June 30 inter-Korean-U.S. Panmunjom meeting last year.

Especially since President Moon has repeatedly proposed 'inter-Korean economic cooperation' for progress in the Korean Peninsula process, including in his New Year's address in January, attention is focused on whether Chairman Kim's letter contained related content. North Korea had not responded to President Moon's proposals until now.

A senior Blue House official, however, refrained from elaborating on this, saying, "It is not appropriate diplomatically to disclose details of the contents of letters exchanged between leaders." Regarding the method of exchanging letters between the two Koreas, the official said, "We can only say that the letter was received through communication channels we maintain."

When asked about the possibility of realizing the 'inter-Korean health cooperation' proposed by President Moon in his 101st March 1st Movement anniversary speech in relation to the COVID-19 situation, the official said, "Such matters can be discussed separately through other channels," and added, "There is nothing special to report in the letter regarding that part."