2nd Anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration... Where is Kim Jong-un?

Drive to Accelerate Cooperation Projects Including Inter-Korean Railway Connection and Individual Tourism
Uncertainty Amid Kim Jong-un Health Rumors

President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un raised their clasped hands high after signing the "Panmunjom Declaration" at Panmunjom on April 27, 2018.

Ahead of the 2nd anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, the government has embarked on efforts to find a breakthrough in inter-Korean relations, but the outlook remains uncertain as rumors about North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's health continue. For the government to advance any agenda related to North Korea, such as connecting railways between the two Koreas or individual tourism, consultations with North Korea are necessary, and given the nature of the North Korean regime, approval from the top leader is required. However, Kim has been absent from public view for the 11th consecutive day.

On April 27, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un shook hands and crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). It marked the beginning of the Panmunjom Inter-Korean Summit, signaling a new start for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The era of fear characterized by "fire and fury" and "Korean Peninsula ○ month crisis" became a thing of the past after the Panmunjom Declaration. This was followed by the 1st North Korea-U.S. Summit and the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration, seemingly bringing the 70-year history of division to a close. However, the 2nd North Korea-U.S. Summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam, the following February ended in a "breakdown of negotiations," and the peace process on the Korean Peninsula fell into a prolonged deadlock.

In January 2020, President Moon declared a frontal breakthrough in inter-Korean relations in his New Year's address. It was a determination to resolve the deadlock in North Korea-U.S. relations through progress in inter-Korean relations. To coincide with the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, the government pushed forward with inter-Korean cooperation projects such as health and quarantine cooperation, the international peace zone in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and connecting railways between the two Koreas. In the general election, the ruling party, which actively supports inter-Korean exchanges, won a landslide victory, and with changes in South Korea's political landscape, there was also hope that North Korea would abandon its previous cold stance and engage in dialogue.

President Moon Jae-in and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un are moving to the summit venue after the South Korean honor guard inspection in front of the Peace House at Panmunjom on April 27.

However, the situation became complicated as rumors about Kim Jong-un's health surfaced. The massive waves of speculation about the North Korean leader's critical condition or death have overshadowed the issue of inter-Korean cooperation. The focus inevitably shifted to changes in North Korea's power structure and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. In response, the government appeared to hasten efforts to quell the rumors, likely considering the negative impact such speculation could have on inter-Korean relations. Through various channels including the Blue House, the National Security Council (NSC), the Ministry of Unification, and the National Intelligence Service, the government stated that "no unusual developments have been identified inside North Korea."

The shift in the U.S. stance is also noteworthy. On the 21st (local time), following CNN's report that intensified rumors about Kim's health, U.S. President Donald Trump maintained a cautious position, saying, "We don't know, we hope he is well." However, on the 23rd, he said, "(That report) is inaccurate." This suggests that U.S. intelligence agencies may have made assessments regarding the health rumors through reconnaissance assets. In fact, reports have been emerging that Kim is staying in Wonsan, Gangwon Province, rather than Pyongyang. There are also forecasts that he will appear sometime early next week.

Accordingly, the government plans to use the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration as a spark to melt the winter on the Korean Peninsula, regardless of the health rumors. The Ministry of Unification announced that it has "established the 2020 Inter-Korean Relations Development Implementation Plan." It will promote visits to Mount Kumgang and Kaesong by separated families and social organizations, and pursue individual tourism to North Korea for South Koreans via third countries. Additionally, it plans to resume asset inspections for Kaesong Industrial Complex entrepreneurs and reinitiate the ratification of the Panmunjom Declaration by the National Assembly. The Ministry of Unification stated, "The government will closely collaborate with relevant ministries to carry out the projects presented in the '2020 Implementation Plan' going forward."

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