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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, according to a report 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 conducted the previous day, saying, "We did not conduct the training to threaten anyone," and described it as a self-defensive measure. 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.

The last remaining support sustaining the shaky inter-Korean relations has been removed. North Korea harshly criticized the Blue House by putting forward Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and who has served as a 'messenger' between the two Koreas. This is seen as a direct reflection of Chairman Kim's distrust toward South Korea, and attention is focused on whether Kim Yo-jong, whose status and role have risen vertically, will take on the overall responsibility for inter-Korean affairs.

On the night of the 3rd, Kim Yo-jong issued a statement titled "Expressing Shock at the Blue House's Incompetent Way of Thinking," sharply criticizing the Blue House. Regarding the People's Army's frontline long-range artillery unit's firepower combat training the day before, she said, "We did not conduct the training to threaten anyone," emphasizing it was for self-defense.

She criticized the Blue House, which had previously expressed regret over this training, calling it "an overbearing and frivolous act" and "the height of impudence."

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 said, "They (South Korea) say they must be militarily prepared, but tell us (North Korea) not to conduct military training," adding, "Such illogical claims and actions only amplify distrust, hatred, and contempt toward the entire South Korean side."

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

On the 25th, Lunar New Year's Day, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, watched a holiday commemorative performance at Samjiyon Theater with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, according to a report by Korean Central TV on the 26th. Choe Ryong-hae, First Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission; Kim Kyong-hui, former Secretary of the Workers' Party, sister of Kim Jong-il and wife of the executed Jang Song-thaek; Ri Il-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Workers' Party; Jo Yong-won and Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Directors of the Party; and Hyun Song-wol, Deputy Director, also attended the performance. Kim Kyong-hui appeared in public for the first time in over six years since Jang Song-thaek's execution in December 2013. From the left, Kim Kyong-hui, Kim Yo-jong, and Jo Yong-won are seated on the presidium watching the performance.

Kim Yo-jong has been a messenger and special envoy for inter-Korean dialogue since the early 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Her issuing a critical statement targeting the Blue House can be interpreted as her distrust toward South Korea reaching its peak. This is the background for predictions that inter-Korean relations will not easily improve in the future.

Lim Eul-chul, a professor at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Gyeongnam National University, analyzed, "Through Kim Yo-jong's statement, North Korea clearly indicated that even after the suspension of the March U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, it will be difficult to resume dialogue or improve relations for a considerable period."

There are also evaluations that Kim Yo-jong's personal status and influence have risen sharply. She had been active as deputy director and then first deputy director in the Party's Propaganda and Agitation Department, and it is known that she moved to the Organization and Guidance Department, the pinnacle of power, around the end of last year following the Party's plenary meeting.

Jung Sung-jang, director of the North Korea Research Center at the Sejong Institute, said, "This suggests that her status and influence have expanded to the extent that she can now publicly express her position beyond supporting Chairman Kim's public activities." Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies analyzed, "It is possible that she has taken on an overall role in inter-Korean relations as well."

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, supervised the firepower strike training of the long-range artillery unit at the front line on the 2nd, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 3rd.

Kim Yo-jong's recent critical statement toward South Korea is also pointed out as a total failure in the government's management of messages toward North Korea. Professor Lim said, "Although North Korea adjusted the level of its firepower combat training considering the COVID-19 situation, the Blue House seemed to be greatly provoked by automatically demanding the suspension of the training like an answering machine."

Director Jung also said, "Since we have superiority over North Korea in the short-range projectile field, it is inappropriate for us to criticize North Korea for launching short-range projectiles during regular training," emphasizing, "Going forward, the management of messages toward North Korea by the Blue House and government is very important for managing and improving inter-Korean relations."

The Blue House responded cautiously to Kim Yo-jong's statement. A Blue House official told Yonhap News Agency on the day, "We will not comment on Kim Yo-jong's remarks," showing a careful stance. The official added, "We can look into the background of the remarks, but we will not immediately issue a position on this."

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, supervised the firepower strike training of the front long-range artillery unit on the 2nd, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 3rd.

The Ministry of Unification, the main government agency handling inter-Korean relations, also remained reserved.

Yeo Sang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 4th, "For the development of inter-Korean relations and the establishment of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, both Koreas must respect each other and work together."

When asked about the change in Kim Yo-jong's status, the spokesperson said, "We will analyze it further and then disclose our views."

When asked whether Kim Jong-un's intentions were reflected in this statement, the spokesperson replied, "Please accept it as I just said," withholding evaluation.

Although Kim Yo-jong's statement was released late at night on the 3rd through the Korean Central News Agency, there was no related report on April 4th in the Rodong Sinmun or Korean Central Broadcasting, which North Korean residents watch.

Regarding whether North Korea seemed to have adjusted the level of criticism, the spokesperson said, "We will analyze the statement further and disclose our analysis separately."

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