North Korea's Kim Yo-jong Issues Statement Targeting "President Moon Jae-in"... "Utterly Reckless"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Just four hours after President Moon Jae-in's remarks observing the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test, Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, criticized the remarks as "utterly foolish" and warned that inter-Korean relations could "spiral into complete destruction." However, she also left room by stating, "We do not desire that (complete destruction)."

On the 15th, Kim Yo-jong issued a statement through the Korean Central News Agency, saying, "South Korea's President Moon Jae-in made an inappropriate remark that 'our missile capabilities are sufficient to deter North Korea's 'provocations,'" and criticized, "As the president of a single country, this is utterly foolish (stupid and lacking reason)."

While Kim Yo-jong had previously referred to President Moon as the "South Korean authorities," in this statement she unusually singled out President Moon by name. She emphasized, "If even the president steps forward to slander and pick fights with the other side, inevitably, countermeasures of a retaliatory nature will follow, and if that happens, inter-Korean relations will inevitably spiral into complete destruction."

Nevertheless, she left room by saying, "We do not wish for that."

Kim Yo-jong expressed "great regret" that the president carelessly repeats the word "provocation," which is used indiscriminately by reporters and others, and demanded careful consideration in all actions and words. She took issue with President Moon's remark during his observation of the first SLBM test launch that it "could serve as a definite deterrent against North Korea's provocations."

This statement was released just four hours after President Moon's related remarks, revealing that North Korea is highly alert to South Korea's SLBM test launches. Professor Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University analyzed, "It has been reconfirmed that North Korea is closely monitoring our SLBM test launch successes, which indicates that North Korea is considerably provoked. The warning to the president paradoxically signals the possibility of continuous additional military actions."