Choson Sinbo "North Korea Will Strengthen Itself... Won't Waste Time with the US"

"Trump-Kim Jong-un Relationship Is Personal Feelings
National Affairs Are Not Discussed Based on Personal Feelings"
'No Dialogue Without Prior Withdrawal of US Hostile Policy' Reconfirmed

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a demonstration firing of tactical guided weapons on the 21st, according to the North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd.

The Choson Sinbo, the organ of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan representing North Korea's stance, stated on the 24th that the letter diplomacy between President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un is a 'personal sentiment' and that North Korea?U.S. relations are unrelated to it, asserting that North Korea will strengthen itself independently.

In an article titled "Prolongation of the North Korea?U.S. Deadlock and the U.S. President's Letter Delivery," Choson Sinbo said, "Even if Chairman Kim personally has good feelings toward President Trump, that is, after all, literally a 'personal' sentiment," emphasizing, "Chairman Kim represents the state and advocates for the nation's interests, so personal feelings cannot be the basis for discussing state affairs."

However, the newspaper gave a positive evaluation of President Trump's letter itself, stating, "It shows that he (Trump) is making efforts to maintain the excellent relationship with the Respected Leader (Kim Jong-un)."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a tactical guided weapon test firing on the 21st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd.

The newspaper firmly stated that North Korea?U.S. dialogue is possible only when the U.S. withdraws its hostile policy toward North Korea, not based on personal friendship between leaders.

It said, "Dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. can only be possible under the condition that the U.S. takes practical measures to completely and irreversibly withdraw its hostile policy that threatens the safety of Joseon (North Korea) and infringes upon the people's right to survival and development."

The newspaper pointed out that the U.S. did not meet the year-end deadline last year to bring a 'new calculation method' as notified, and even this year, "while talking about dialogue, the double-faced behavior of further exposing provocative political, military, and economic schemes remains unchanged."

It added that in anticipation of the prolonged deadlock between North Korea and the U.S., the countermeasure is "to take bigger steps forward along the path it has set."

The newspaper emphasized the 'direct breakthrough' line established at the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee in December last year, stating, "The projects to politically, diplomatically, and militarily guarantee Joseon's grand direct breakthrough are being steadily promoted according to the set plans and timetable."

It further said, "As Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Party Central Committee, mentioned in her recent statement, amid the prolonged North Korea?U.S. deadlock, Joseon will 'not waste or lose time in vain' but will 'continue to change itself and become stronger on its own.'"

This remark is interpreted as a continuation and reaffirmation of the position expressed in the statement released on the 22nd by Kim Yo-jong, Chairman Kim's younger sister. In that statement, First Deputy Director Kim said that expectations should not be based on personal friendship between the two leaders in North Korea?U.S. relations and demanded guarantees of 'fairness' and 'balance.'