Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responds to Kim Yo-jong's Criticism of 'Washington Declaration': "North Korea Responsible for Pursuing Nuclear Development"

"Strengthening US-ROK Extended Deterrence Execution Capability... Using It as a Pretext for Provocation Is Absurd"

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that “all responsibility lies with North Korea, which is carrying out illegal provocations and reckless nuclear development,” in response to Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, criticizing the 'Washington Declaration.'

Deputy Director Kim Yo-jong had criticized the 'Washington Declaration' issued by the South Korean and U.S. leaders on the 26th of last month (local time), calling it “a concentrated product of the most hostile and aggressive intentions reflecting an atrocious anti-DPRK hostile policy.”

At a regular briefing that day, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-seok stated, “It is absurd for North Korea to use the strengthening of the South Korea-U.S. extended deterrence capability as a pretext for provocations and escalating tensions.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, “Through this summit, the South Korean and U.S. leaders reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy with North Korea as the only means to achieve sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula and urged North Korea to return to dialogue,” explaining that the door to dialogue remains open.

Spokesperson Lim added, “The President also emphasized in the joint address to the U.S. Congress that the door to dialogue for denuclearization will remain open and reiterated the bold initiative proposed last year,” urging, “We call on North Korea to promptly respond to the bold initiative and return to the path of denuclearization talks.”

Regarding Prime Minister Kishida’s planned visit to South Korea on the 7th and 8th, he explained, “When President Yoon visited Japan in March, the two leaders agreed to restore shuttle diplomacy and hold frequent consultations.”

He further stated, “The government has announced a solution to the forced labor issue, and after the President’s visit to Japan, previously severed high-level consultation channels are being restored. Additionally, on the 28th of last month, Japan officially began procedures to reinstate our country to the whitelist. We hope these related procedures will be completed promptly.”