Ministry of Unification: "Increase in Kim Jong-un's Messages to the U.S.... Need to Monitor North Korea's Follow-up Actions Toward the U.S."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Unification recently stated that messages from Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, directed toward the United States have been increasing, and emphasized the need to closely monitor North Korea's subsequent actions toward the U.S.

On the 18th, through the '2021 National Assembly Inspection Work Status Report,' the Ministry of Unification said, "Although instability on the Korean Peninsula continues, the fluidity of changes in the situation is also increasing. It is an important time to actively respond in a way that leads the situation toward dialogue and engagement rather than military tension."

Evaluating North Korea's external relations, the Ministry stated, "North Korea continues to show no response to the U.S. proposals for dialogue," and added, "North Korea views the U.S. North Korea policy as an 'extension of past hostile policies toward North Korea' and maintains the position that it must demonstrate through actions, not words, that it is not hostile."

Meanwhile, it analyzed that North Korea-China relations are becoming closer, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The number of congratulatory messages exchanged between the North Korean and Chinese leaders was 2 in 2017, 6 over the following three years, and so far this year, a total of 9 messages have been exchanged.

Regarding inter-Korean relations, the Ministry evaluated that the restoration of communication lines has laid the foundation for stable management of the situation and the restoration of inter-Korean relations, stating, "Although there are various differences in positions between the two Koreas, since the communication lines have been restored, the government is pursuing the establishment of a video conference system and aims to resolve differences and solve problems through dialogue."

It also announced plans to discuss issues such as North Korea's demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office and the fatal shooting of a public official in the West Sea through future inter-Korean communication lines.

The Ministry emphasized, "We will first focus on completing dialogue systems considering the COVID-19 situation, such as video conference systems and safe face-to-face meetings, and prepare for inter-Korean dialogue," adding, "When dialogue resumes, we will actively pursue substantive discussions on agendas including the implementation of inter-Korean agreements, development of inter-Korean relations, and establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

To create conditions for restarting the Korean Peninsula peace process, the Ministry plans to seek North Korea engagement and confidence-building measures through close coordination between South Korea and the U.S., while also discussing and promoting joint humanitarian cooperation projects and a declaration to formally end the Korean War, thereby creating momentum for resuming dialogue. The Beijing Winter Olympics was also mentioned as one of the opportunities to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process.