Kim Young-ho "North Korea Changes Policy Toward South to Divert Internal Dissatisfaction Externally"

Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho is speaking at the Unification and North Korea Policy Briefing for Ambassadors to Korea and International Organizations held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on December 14 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Unification Minister Kim Young-ho evaluated on the 6th that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's aggressive redefinition of inter-Korean relations as a 'state of war relationship' at the Workers' Party plenary meeting at the end of last year was intended to divert internal dissatisfaction outward.

Minister Kim made this remark during an appearance on KBS's 'Window on Inter-Korean Relations' in response to a question about 'North Korea's intention behind changing its policy toward South Korea.'

He analyzed, "The internal situation in North Korea is very difficult. There is a very negative perception regarding power succession and hereditary transfer of power," adding, "This is an attempt to divert such dissatisfaction outward."

Previously, at the plenary meeting, Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean relations not as relations between compatriots but as relations between 'two countries at war,' fundamentally changing the direction of the policy toward South Korea.

Regarding Kim Yo-jong, the Workers' Party vice department director's recent claim that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration provided justification for North Korea's military buildup, he pointed out, "North Korea's specialty is blaming all responsibility on other countries," and added, "They shift the responsibility for military buildup, nuclear and missile development outward, but the responsibility ultimately lies with North Korea."

He continued, "This is a typical part of North Korea's psychological warfare against South Korea," and said, "If North Korea continues its psychological warfare against the South, the government will have no choice but to respond firmly. North Korea must bear all responsibility for any consequences that follow."

Regarding the prospect that former U.S. President Donald Trump could return to power in this year's election and exchange North Korea's nuclear freeze for eased sanctions, he said, "Given the current solidified cooperation system among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, it will be difficult for any change in the U.S. administration to bring about changes in this framework."

On speculation that the U.S. might recognize North Korea as a 'nuclear-armed state,' he emphasized, "If that happens, South Korea and Japan will have no choice but to develop nuclear weapons," adding, "Accepting North Korea's nuclear status and holding disarmament talks is unacceptable to both South Korea and the U.S."

Regarding exchanges and cooperation between North Korea and Russia, he said, "The government views arms trade and military technology transfers between North Korea and Russia very seriously," and added, "South Korea must continue to take firm measures independently and in solidarity with the U.S. and the international community on this issue."