Kim Yo-jong "Possible Declaration of End to War and Inter-Korean Summit"... Two Consecutive Days of Conciliatory Statements
Lee Jun-seok "No Apology for North's Blasting, Could Signal Acceptance of Nuclear Possession"
Choi Jae-hyung "Must Recognize North Korea's Reality as a State"
Ministry of Unification "Expecting Swift Restoration of Inter-Korean Communication Line"
The Joint Inter-Korean Liaison Office, established in the Kaesong Industrial Complex on June 16, 2020, being blown up. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, on the 26th, regarding Kim Yo-jong, North Korean Workers' Party Deputy Department Head's statement emphasizing the restoration of inter-Korean relations including the reinstallation of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office, claimed, "We have not even received an apology for North Korea blowing up the Inter-Korean Liaison Office building, and if (our government) rebuilds it again, it shows a lack of pride."
On the same day, Lee pointed out on Facebook, "(Blowing up and reopening the Liaison Office) cannot be considered progress in inter-Korean relations. If the two just hold hands briefly, turn left, and then turn right again, they end up in the same place."
Earlier, on the 25th, Kim Yo-jong expressed willingness for inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation in a statement, saying, "Only when fairness and mutual respect are maintained can smooth communication between the North and South be achieved, and furthermore, meaningful declarations of the end of the war can be made without delay. I believe that issues such as the reinstallation of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office and inter-Korean summit meetings can also be resolved."
On the 24th, Kim also gave a positive message regarding President Moon Jae-in's proposal for a declaration to end the war, calling it an "interesting proposal and a good idea." Previously, President Moon emphasized the necessity of a declaration to end the war on the Korean Peninsula again during his speech at the UN General Assembly on the 21st. This was the third time President Moon urged for such a declaration on the UN stage, following 2018 and 2020.
Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, who is visiting the United States, is speaking at a press briefing held in Washington DC on the 23rd (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
In response, Lee stated, "Through the declaration to end the war, we mistakenly send a signal that we accept North Korea's nuclear possession under the guise of 'mutual respect,' and end up gaining a Liaison Office and summit meetings that can be blown up anytime."
Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party and former Auditor General, also pointed out on Facebook that day, "The president must recognize that the other party, North Korea, is the reality that talks about reinstallation without a single apology for the destruction of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office."
Choi further emphasized, "President Moon must not fall into the wrong path of accepting North Korea's nuclear weapons and lifting sanctions in pursuit of inter-Korean summits at the end of his term," adding, "He must not prioritize personal achievements at the expense of the people's lives."
Meanwhile, the government expressed its expectation for the prompt restoration of the inter-Korean communication line in response to Kim Yo-jong's statement.
The Ministry of Unification said, "The government has consistently worked with the principles of no war, mutual security guarantees, and joint prosperity to advance complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, permanent peace settlement, and development of inter-Korean relations through dialogue and cooperation. We meaningfully evaluate that North Korea, through Deputy Department Head Kim Yo-jong's statement, hopes for the prompt recovery of inter-Korean relations and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and believes that issues such as the declaration to end the war, reinstallation of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office, and inter-Korean summits can be resolved one by one through constructive discussions."
It added, "For such discussions, smooth and stable communication between the North and South is important, so the inter-Korean communication line must be restored promptly as a priority. The government hopes that along with the swift restoration of the inter-Korean communication line, talks between authorities will be held, allowing various issues to be discussed and resolved amid a stabilized situation on the Korean Peninsula."
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