North Korea Issues First High-Level Statement Since Lee Jaemyung Administration Took Office
Kim Yojong Dismisses Possibility of Dialogue with South Korea and APEC Summit Attendance
Evaluates Seoul's Recent Moves as "Sincere Efforts," but Downplays Their Significance
South Korea-US Joint Military Exercises Remain a Key Issue for Inter-Korean Relations
As the Lee Jaemyung administration has expressed its intention for dialogue with North Korea under the banner of 'peaceful coexistence,' North Korea has issued its first high-level statement approximately two months after the new government took office, drawing attention. While North Korea maintained a firm stance regarding the severed inter-Korean relations, it refrained from making extremely harsh criticisms, and some interpret this as leaving open the possibility of dialogue with the United States.
On July 28, Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea and sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, released a statement titled "The Concept of Kinship Has Completely Disappeared from Inter-Korean Relations," saying, "We have no interest in whatever policies are established or proposals are made in Seoul," and, "I once again officially clarify that there is no reason to sit down with South Korea or to discuss anything." Regarding speculation that the government may invite North Korea to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to be held in Gyeongju at the end of October, she dismissed the possibility of Kim Jong-un's attendance as a "vain delusion."
However, Kim Yo-jong evaluated the Lee Jaemyung administration's suspension of anti-North Korea broadcasts and leaflet campaigns, as well as its consideration of individual tourism to North Korea, as "sincere efforts." She also mentioned the inaugural address of Chung Dongyoung, who took office as Minister of Unification on July 25. Nevertheless, she downplayed these moves, saying, "They are nothing more than reversals of actions that should never have been taken in the first place," and, "They are not worthy of praise."
In particular, Kim Yo-jong criticized the upcoming South Korea-US joint military exercises scheduled for mid-August, stating, "The US and South Korea, as always, will attempt to shift the blame for the worsening situation on the Korean Peninsula, which they themselves created, onto us."
Some predict that President Lee Jaemyung may consider measures such as postponing the South Korea-US joint military exercises as a gesture toward North Korea on the occasion of Liberation Day next month. Yang Moojin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said, "The August South Korea-US military exercises are a major watershed for inter-Korean relations," and, "President Lee needs to take more proactive steps for inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation, and send a flexible message, such as adjusting the South Korea-US military exercises, to actively support and cooperate for a North Korea-US summit." However, a Joint Chiefs of Staff official stated, "For now, there are no changes to the exercise plans or schedule."
Regarding North Korea's restraint from making remarks about the US in its statement, Professor Yang interpreted this as "not ruling out the possibility of a North Korea-US summit at Panmunjom on the occasion of President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea for the APEC summit."
An official from the presidential office commented on Kim Yo-jong's statement, saying, "It has been confirmed that the wall of distrust between the two Koreas is very high due to years of hostile and confrontational policies," and, "Establishing a state of peace where there is no need to fight is the unwavering philosophy of the Lee Jaemyung administration, and the government will consistently take the necessary 'actions' to create a Korean Peninsula without hostility and war."
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