Park Jiwon: "Kim Yongnam of North Korea Is from Daegu and Gyeongbuk High... My Visit as Condolence Envoy Would Be a Positive Signal"

Park Jiwon: "Met with Kim Yongnam of North Korea about ten times"

Park Jiwon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized his connection with the late Kim Yongnam, former President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, and volunteered to serve as a special envoy to North Korea.

Park Jiwon, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On November 5, during an appearance on MBC Radio’s "Kim Jongbae’s Focus," Park stated, "President Kim Yongnam and I share a special connection," adding, "We met about ten times."

He continued, "When the June 15 North-South Summit was agreed upon in 2000, there was an April 8 agreement between the North Korean envoy and the South Korean envoys, Park Jiwon and Song Hokyung," and explained, "There was a lot of discussion because the South interpreted the agreement as meaning that President Kim Daejung and Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jongil would meet, but the summit talks would be held with President Kim Yongnam."

Park added, "Both Chairman Kim Jongil and Chairman Kim Jongun addressed President Kim Yongnam respectfully as 'President,' and treated him with great courtesy. He is tall and very flexible in his demeanor. He also graduated from Gyeongbuk High School and is originally from Daegu."

However, communication with North Korea is currently cut off, making it uncertain whether the North will accept a condolence delegation. Park explained, "Although a hotline exists between the two Koreas, it is effectively disconnected. As far as I know, the National Intelligence Service calls at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day, and while the signal goes through, North Korea does not answer."

He further stated, "This is the current state of inter-Korean relations. In the past, during periods of no communication, we could send messages through Chinese channels and would receive responses, but now, even that is not happening."

Additionally, Park emphasized, "Although Unification Minister Chung Dongyoung issued a message of condolence on behalf of the government, it was not delivered to North Korea. Nevertheless, I believe my willingness to go as a special envoy for condolences could be a positive signal."