NIS: "North Korea Expects Role of South Korean Government in North Korea-US Relations" (Comprehensive)

Park Ji-won "Flexible Response to ROK-US Joint Exercises Also Needs Consideration"
Kim Jong-un's Health Status Shows No Abnormal Signs
Serious Food Situation in North Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The National Intelligence Service (NIS) explained on the 3rd that the restoration of the inter-Korean communication hotline was made at the request of Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. Park Ji-won, head of the NIS, stated that "it is necessary to consider flexible responses" regarding the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises. The NIS also presented an analysis expecting the South Korean government's role in North Korea-U.S. relations.

Kim Byung-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea and Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party, who serve as the ruling and opposition party secretaries of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, respectively, briefed this after the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee on the same day.

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, is attending the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly on the 3rd, preparing for the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

They said, "The NIS reported that Chairman Kim requested the restoration of the inter-Korean communication hotline," adding, "The background for North Korea's positive response to the restoration of the hotline seems to be the expression of willingness to restore trust and improve relations between the two Koreas through two exchanges of letters between the South and North Korean leaders since April," and "It also appears to have the purpose of exploring the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration."

Regarding the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, NIS Director Park Ji-won reportedly said, "While understanding the importance of the joint exercises, it is necessary to consider flexible responses to the exercises to maintain dialogue and momentum and for the bigger picture of North Korea's denuclearization." Representative Kim explained, "This is the analysis from the NIS," and "It is more of Director Park's stance rather than the official position of the NIS."

In this regard, Representative Ha said, "This Intelligence Committee meeting seems to have been convened for the NIS to clarify its position on the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises," and also mentioned, "It is not desirable for the NIS to express a position regarding Kim Yo-jong's demands."

The ruling and opposition party secretaries of the Intelligence Committee drew a line by saying, "We did not propose anything regarding the inter-Korean summit." Regarding the South Korea-U.S. summit, they introduced, "Since the South Korea-U.S. summit in May, we have been closely monitoring the results of the close coordination of North Korea policy between the South Korea and U.S. authorities, and there is an expectation that our government will play a role in resuming North Korea-U.S. relations in the future."

Regarding the North Korea-U.S. talks, North Korea has set preconditions such as allowing mineral exports, permitting refined oil imports, and allowing imports of daily necessities. Notably, among the daily necessities North Korea desires are high-end liquor and suits, which are intended for distribution to the upper class in Pyongyang.

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, is attending the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly on the 3rd, preparing for the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Regarding Chairman Kim's health condition, it was reported, "(The NIS) judges that there are no signs of health abnormalities when observing scenes of his walking and deeply bowing in greetings."

Additionally, there was a report that North Korea's food situation is worsening. The NIS reported, "North Korea is controlling grain prices in the private sector," and "The price of rice showed a sharp rise until June, increasing up to twice compared to the beginning of the year." The ruling and opposition party secretaries said, "Since mid-July, continuous heatwaves have caused casualties from heat-related illnesses and livestock deaths, resulting in human casualties," and "The North Korean military summer training, conducted between July 1 and September 10, started normally but minimized outdoor training due to the heatwave and is providing support for damage recovery."

Meanwhile, regarding rumors circulating about Director Park's resignation, it was confirmed that "Director Park has never submitted a resignation letter."