Ministry of Unification: North Korea's Statement "If You Touch Us, You Will Get Hurt" Has Different Tone but Similar Theme as Before

"The Position of Chief Negotiator for the US Talks Is Understood to Be Newly Established"

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.

Regarding the statement released on the 30th under the name of North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' newly appointed Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau, the Ministry of Unification evaluated on the 31st that "there may be slight differences in tone, but the subject appears to be the same as previous statements." They also analyzed that the position of 'Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau' seems to have been newly established recently.

A Ministry of Unification official, when asked by reporters about the evaluation of the Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau's statement from the previous day, said, "We hope that North Korea and the U.S. will sit down face-to-face and resume negotiations for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace with mutual trust and respect." He added, "The statements North Korea has recently issued targeting the U.S. generally have a similar tone."

Furthermore, through this statement, it was understood that North Korea has newly established the position of 'Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau.' The Ministry of Unification official said, "The Ministry of Unification also encountered the position of Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau for the first time in North Korea's official media," adding, "It clearly appears to be a newly created position."

However, he explained, "It is unclear whether this is a separate organization from the existing Ministry of Foreign Affairs' North America Bureau or a position created to replace the North America Bureau," and added, "We need to observe over time."

Regarding the fact that the real name of the Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau was not specified in this statement, the Ministry of Unification also stated that they will keep a close watch. He said, "We need to have further internal consultations about the intention behind revealing or not revealing the name," and added, "In the past, North Korea has often disclosed titles but not names or real names in statements and other communications."

As for the meaning of the expression 'our way' emphasized by the Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau, the Ministry of Unification also assessed that it is difficult to make a judgment at this point. The official said, "Words like 'our way' or 'new way' used by North Korea are difficult to understand their meaning from just the words alone," adding, "We can only analyze what they mean through North Korea's actions." He further explained, "We have no choice but to observe over time what those things are."

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

Regarding U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement on the 30th (local time) that he proposed support for North Korea's quarantine efforts through the 'World Food Bank,' the Ministry of Unification stated that they will monitor the progress. A Ministry of Unification official said, "We learned about this through reports," but added, "We do not have any information to confirm at the Ministry of Unification level regarding this matter, and we will watch the progress."

As for the upcoming April 15th, the 108th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birthday (Day of the Sun), and the Supreme People's Assembly scheduled for April 10th, no unusual developments have been detected so far.

The Ministry of Unification official explained, "The Supreme People's Assembly appears to be proceeding as planned," adding, "However, considering the COVID-19 situation, it is notable that unlike in the past when delegates registered in advance, this time registration is done on the day itself, minimizing prior scheduling." Regarding the Day of the Sun, he said, "There is no information worth disclosing separately."

Meanwhile, North Korea, in a statement on the 30th under the name of the 'New Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,' referred to recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, stating, "Hearing Pompeo's recent outrageous remarks, we have once again firmly closed the door on dialogue with greater certainty."

The Director of the U.S. Negotiation Bureau claimed, "We have become more enthusiastic about our responsible planned projects to return the suffering inflicted on our people by the U.S. over a long period back to them as fear and anxiety," and asserted, "We will follow our way." He warned, "The U.S. should not touch us with reckless chatter; if they do, they will get hurt."