Park Ji-won "Unusual Immediate Response from North Korea's Kim Yo-jong... Is a Nuclear Test Approaching?"

Criticism of the 'Bold Plan', Done Deliberately
"Need to Review Whether It Was a Disruption Operation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won described North Korean Workers' Party Vice Director Kim Yo-jong's criticism of President Yoon Suk-yeol's announced 'Bold Initiative' in a Rodong Sinmun statement as "very unusual" and speculated that North Korea might be preparing for a nuclear test.

On the 19th, on YTN Radio's 'Park Ji-hoon's News King,' former Director Park commented on Kim Yo-jong's remark telling President Yoon's North Korea denuclearization roadmap 'Bold Initiative,' announced in the August 15 Liberation Day speech, to "stop dreaming vain dreams," saying, "Given the immediate reaction, I wonder if they are preparing something else. Therefore, I cautiously speculate that a nuclear test might be approaching."

He said, "President Yoon's North Korea policy is 'If denuclearization occurs, bold reforms will follow,' which is exactly the same as former President MB's 'Denuclearization and Opening 3000,' as Kim Yo-jong mentioned," adding, "It is very unusual to reject it so directly through Kim Yo-jong."

He continued, "President Yoon also received criticism that could cause considerable personal humiliation," and when asked if this was intentional, he replied, "Yes."

Furthermore, he analyzed, "Currently, the Yoon administration is announcing this for more thorough security, but whether Kim Yo-jong's actions are a disruption operation or not, South Korea reported that a cruise missile was launched from Oncheon, South Pyongan Province, but North Korea denied it, saying it was launched from Anju, which is a baseless criticism," adding, "Our intelligence agencies were correct, but North Korea might have used a disruption operation. I hope the National Defense Committee or Intelligence Committee reviews this."

On the 15th, President Yoon formally proposed the 'Bold Initiative' to the North, which includes economic cooperation measures such as food and infrastructure support linked to North Korea's denuclearization steps, along with political and military reciprocal measures, during the Liberation Day speech.

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