Why Does Cheong Respond with 'Strategic Silence' to North Korea-US 'Letter Diplomacy'?

Amid COVID-19 Crisis Response, Personal Letter Politics... South-North-US Leaders Focus on Situation Management

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Kim Dong-pyo] Although the Blue House is refraining from official comments on the 'letter diplomacy' between North Korea and the United States, a 'positive trend' related to changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula is being detected internally. There is a view that the international adverse factor of the 'novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)' could become a variable to resolve the deadlock on the Korean Peninsula.

On the 22nd, the letter from U.S. President Donald Trump, revealed by Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, contains political messages both in terms of the timing of delivery and its content. Deputy Director Kim said, "President Trump explained his ideas to promote North Korea-U.S. relations in the letter."

In particular, Deputy Director Kim conveyed that President Trump also expressed willingness to cooperate with the North regarding COVID-19 prevention. In this regard, on the 22nd (local time), at a White House COVID-19 task force press conference, when asked whether he had sent a letter to North Korea expressing willingness to cooperate on COVID-19, President Trump replied, "Yes. If they want, we will help."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, the expression "special and firm friendship" revealed by Deputy Director Kim signifies that the 'political trust' between North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Trump has not collapsed. This is a continuation of the perception of managing the situation on the Korean Peninsula, confirmed by the exchange of letters between President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un. After the surprise summit at Panmunjom in June last year, South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S., which had been trapped in a deadlock, have reaffirmed the link of trust based on COVID-19.

The Blue House has not issued an official response regarding the North Korea-U.S. letter diplomacy. It is closer to 'strategic silence' rather than indifference. Although it is a diplomatic convention not to officially comment on letters exchanged between heads of other countries, the general observation is that this cannot be interpreted at face value.

Because President Trump's delivery of the letter can be interpreted as a signal to ease tensions itself, even while North Korea is escalating tensions by repeatedly launching projectiles on the Korean Peninsula. However, the North Korea-U.S. letter diplomacy is not expected to lead to a dramatic change in the situation on the Korean Peninsula immediately. Deputy Director Kim also drew a line, stating that expectations should not be based on the personal friendship between the two leaders in North Korea-U.S. relations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The variable is cooperation related to COVID-19. If the U.S. strengthens support for North Korea under the pretext of overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, expectations for changes in the situation could increase.

The Blue House is withholding comments on COVID-19 prevention support for North Korea. Even if there is sympathy for support on a humanitarian level, once implemented, it crosses into the realm of political and diplomatic interpretation. It is a point of attention whether the South Korean, North Korean, and U.S. leaders, who have taken steps to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula through letter diplomacy, will secure momentum for changes in the situation triggered by COVID-19.

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