[Summary] North Korea: "Declaration of the End of War is Premature... Withdrawal of Hostile Policy Comes First"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea expressed the position that "a declaration of the end of the war is premature" on the day President Moon Jae-in returned to Korea. This came two days after President Moon proposed the declaration of the end of the war.

Ri Tae-sung, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated in a commentary released through the Korean Central News Agency on the 24th, "As long as the United States' hostile policy toward North Korea, which is the biggest obstacle to ending the war, remains, a declaration of the end of the war is nothing but an illusion," adding, "All facts prove that it is not yet time to declare the end of the war."

Vice Minister Ri said, "In the situation where the Korean Peninsula is heading toward a critical point, there is no guarantee that a mere paper-thin declaration of the end of the war will lead to the withdrawal of hostility toward us," and argued, "As the US-South Korea alliance continues to strengthen, the declaration of the end of the war will only bring disastrous results by destroying the strategic balance in the region and driving the North and South into an endless arms race."

He also demanded the withdrawal of the US hostile policy toward North Korea. Vice Minister Ri emphasized, "The withdrawal of the US double standards and hostile policy is the top priority for stabilizing the situation on the Korean Peninsula and ensuring peace," and stressed, "At the root of all problems arising on the Korean Peninsula without exception is the US hostile policy toward North Korea."

He then enumerated the US's test launches of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Minuteman-3' in February and August this year, the declaration of the end of missile guidelines for South Korea, and the transfer of nuclear-powered submarine construction technology to Australia, expressing dissatisfaction with criticisms of their own cruise missile and short-range ballistic missile test launches.

He said, "Our legitimate defense strengthening measures in response to the US military threats aimed at subjugating us by force are labeled as 'provocations,' while the US and its followers' arms build-up acts that threaten us are glorified as 'securing deterrence.' This US-style double standard is also a product of the hostile policy toward North Korea."

However, he did not completely dismiss the declaration of the end of the war and evaluated it as meaningful. Regarding the declaration, he said, "It has symbolic meaning as a political declaration," and added, "It is clear that declaring the end of the war is an issue that must be addressed at least once in moving forward to establish a peace assurance system."