Kim Jong Un’s sister has rejected resuming diplomatic relations with South Korea.
In a statement reported by state media KCNA, Kim Yo Jong, an influential political figure, said North Korea had no interest in resuming relations with the South.
It comes after Lee Jae-myung, elected as president of South Korea in June, vowed to reopen communication with the North to build “lasting” peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Highlights
- Kim Yo Jong firmly rejected South Korea's efforts to resume diplomatic relations, stating North Korea has no interest in dialogue.
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung pledged to reopen communication and build lasting peace with North Korea.
- South Korea vowed to continue pursuing peace despite North Korea's rejection and emphasized its commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Kim Yo Jong criticized efforts made by South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung
Image credits: Patrick Semansky - Pool /Getty Images
His predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted and impeached by parliament for trying to declare martial law, did not share the same sentiment.
Lee had suspended propaganda loudspeaker broadcasting across the border in a bid to restore trust between the two nations after campaigning on reducing tension.
As part of his efforts, he also halted the spread of anti-Pyongyang leaflets, ordering authorities to punish anyone sending them across the border.
Earlier this month, Seoul repatriated six North Korean citizens who had accidentally drifted into the South’s waters and expressed a strong desire to return.
Image credits: Jung Yeon-Je - Pool/Getty Images
But Lee’s efforts have been slammed by Kim Yo Jong, who said they were not “worthy of appreciation.”
The suspension of the propaganda broadcasting was a “scourge they have voluntarily invited,” Kim Yo Jong said in a statement.
“Thus it is the issue of themselves, no matter how they settle it, and is nothing but a reversible turning back of what they should not have done in the first place,” she added.
Kim Yo Jong also criticized South Korea’s relations and joint military drills with the U.S., while calling for the South Korean Unification Ministry to be dissolved.
Image credits: Korea Summit Press Pool/Getty Images
The Unification Ministry eventually hopes to facilitate the reunification of the Korean Peninsula and resume diplomatic relations.
Kim Yo Jong said the government body “must be dissolved along with the reality in which the state-to-state relations are permanently fixed on the Korean peninsula.”
“We clarify once again the official stand that no matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither the reason to meet nor the issue to be discussed with the ROK,” Kim Yo Jong added.
South Korea's government said it would continue to pursue peace with the North
Image credits: Contributor/Getty Images
South Korea has responded to the statement, vowing to continue its efforts to pursue peace with the North.
In a press briefing, Unification Ministry spokesperson Koo Byoungsam said the government would not respond to all the points raised by the North but reaffirmed its commitment to opening dialogue.
“The statement suggests that North Korean authorities are paying close attention to the Lee Jae Myung administration’s policy approach toward the North,” he said.
“It reaffirms that the wall of distrust between the two Koreas has grown considerably due to years of antagonism and confrontation.
“The Government remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering reconciliation and cooperation with the North, and will calmly and consistently pursue a vision of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.”