[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea, expressed his intention to restore the inter-Korean communication lines next month. Regarding the declaration of the end of the war proposed by President Moon Jae-in, he passed the ball by saying, "First withdraw the double standards and hostile perspectives," and criticized the United States for not withdrawing military threats and hostile policies even under the Biden administration.
Korean Central News Agency reported on the 30th, "Comrade Kim Jong-un delivered a historic policy speech titled 'On the Immediate Direction of Struggle for New Development of Socialist Construction' at the 2-day 5th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly on September 29."
The agency conveyed that in his speech, General Secretary Kim expressed his intention to restore the communication lines starting from early October to realize the expectations of the nation wishing for the recovery of the strained inter-Korean relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Regarding the declaration of the end of the war, General Secretary Kim stated, "Before declaring the end of the war, mutual respect must be guaranteed, and prejudiced views, unfair double standards, hostile perspectives, and policies toward the other side must first be withdrawn. This is an unchanging demand we have consistently made," adding, "This is a crucial task that must be resolved first to manage inter-Korean relations and open a bright future."
About the United States, he pointed out, "As clearly shown by the actions of the new U.S. administration over the past eight months, the U.S. military threats and hostile policies toward us have not changed at all," and "Rather, their forms and methods have become more cunning."
He continued, "The U.S. claims 'diplomatic engagement' and 'dialogue without preconditions,' but this is merely a facade to deceive the international community and cover up their hostile acts," adding that it is nothing more than a continuation of the hostile policies of previous U.S. administrations.
On the same day, at the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea appointed Kim Tok-hun, Premier of the Cabinet, as Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, and Cho Yong-won, Party Organization Secretary, Kim Yo-jong, Party Deputy Department Head, and Pak Jong-chon, Party Secretary, as members of the State Affairs Commission.
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