Kim Yo-jong: "If mutual respect between South and North is maintained, summit talks may be discussed"

Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of North Korea Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of North Korea, hinted at the possibility of discussing inter-Korean issues such as a summit on the premise of maintaining mutual respect between the two Koreas.

In a statement released on the 25th through the Korean Central News Agency, Vice Director Kim expressed her personal view, saying, "I believe that a meaningful declaration of the end of the war will be made without delay, and various issues related to improving relations, such as the reestablishment of the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office and inter-Korean summit meetings, can be resolved promptly through constructive discussions." After monitoring the South Korean political scene following her statement the previous day, she said, "I felt that the atmosphere among various sectors in South Korea to quickly restore the strained inter-Korean relations and achieve peaceful stability is overwhelmingly strong," emphasizing, "Our wishes are no different."

However, Vice Director Kim set conditions, stating, "Smooth communication between the North and South can only be achieved when fairness and mutual respect are maintained," and that there must be no 'double standards,' hostile policies, or hostile rhetoric. She further pointed out, "We must not attempt to disrupt the military balance in the Korean Peninsula region."