Ministry of Unification on North Korea's Kim Yo-jong Criticism: "Mutual Respect Between South and North Needed for Peace"

"Efforts Needed for Permanent Peace Settlement on the Korean Peninsula"

Yeosang-gi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification

On the 4th, the Ministry of Unification stated, regarding the harsh criticism of the Blue House by Kim Yo-jong, the First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party and younger sister of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, in a statement released on the 3rd, that "for the development of inter-Korean relations and the establishment of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, both sides must respect each other and work together."

At a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Seoul on the same day, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Yeo Sang-gi responded to a question asking for the Ministry's position on Kim Yo-jong's statement with these words.

When asked about changes in Kim Yo-jong's status, spokesperson Yeo said, "We will take more time to analyze and then disclose our findings."

Regarding whether Kim Jong-un's intentions were reflected in the statement, Yeo refrained from commenting, saying, "Please take it as I just said."

Kim Yo-jong's statement was released late at night on the 3rd through the Korean Central News Agency, but there was no related report in the Rodong Sinmun or Korean Central Broadcasting, which are viewed by North Korean residents.

In response to a question about whether North Korea appeared to have moderated the level of criticism, spokesperson Yeo said, "We will take more time to analyze the statement and disclose our findings separately."

Meanwhile, in her statement on the 3rd, Kim Yo-jong fiercely criticized the Blue House, saying, "How can every word they utter and every action they take be so specific and perfectly foolish?"

The Blue House expressed strong concern after North Korea launched two projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, into the East Sea the previous day, holding an emergency meeting of related ministers and condemning North Korea's actions that caused military tension through resuming projectile launches and joint strike drills.

In response, Kim Yo-jong said, "It is truly puzzling for us to hear sounds from the South's Blue House like 'strong regret' and 'demands for suspension,'" criticizing it as "an overbearing and frivolous act" and "the height of hypocrisy."

Kim Yo-jong pointed out that South Korea frequently conducts joint military exercises and flies advanced fighter jets, and regarding the Blue House's reaction, she claimed it was "a demand that they (South Korea) must be militarily prepared while we (North Korea) should not conduct military drills," adding, "Such illogical claims and behavior only amplify distrust, hatred, and contempt toward the entire South."

She also said, "Though it is a truly regrettable analogy, it is said that a frightened dog barks louder."

Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party and younger sister of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, expressed shock at the Blue House's concerns over North Korea's joint strike drills, reported by the Korean Central News Agency on the 3rd.

In a statement titled "Expressing Shock at the Blue House's Incompetent Way of Thinking" issued that night, Kim Yo-jong referred to the People's Army's frontline long-range artillery unit's firepower combat training held the previous day, saying, "We did not conduct the training to threaten anyone," and clarified it was at a self-defensive level. The photo shows Kim Yo-jong accompanying Kim Jong-un during his visit to Vietnam on March 2, 2019, paying respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.