Hardened North Korea 'Number 2' Kim Yo-jong, Why She Voluntarily Took on the Villain Role

Kim Yo-jong Leads Harsh Criticism of South Korea, Shares Roles with Kim Jong-un... Increasing Value While Dispersing Kim Jong-un's Political Risks

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min, Son Seon-hee, Kim Dong-pyo] North Korea embarrassed the Blue House by publicly revealing the proposal for a 'special envoy to the North' through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in the form of statements from Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party Central Committee.

North Korea disclosed that President Moon Jae-in proposed sending Special Envoys Jeong Ui-yong, Director of the Blue House National Security Office, and Suh Hoon, Director of the National Intelligence Service, and that the timing of the visit should be as early as possible on a date preferred by the North.

The special envoy to the North is one of the decisive cards to prevent a catastrophe on the Korean Peninsula. However, the North's public disclosure of the special envoy proposal turned it into a scratched lottery ticket. It lost its effectiveness even before expectations could be raised.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

KCNA reported that "(Kim Yo-jong) conveyed a position of thoroughly rejecting this impure proposal, which reveals a transparent trick." This format of reporting highlighted Kim Yo-jong as the key figure who neutralized the special envoy card, emphasizing her political weight.

On the 17th, Kim Yo-jong unleashed 'harsh criticism' targeting President Moon through a statement. She reinforced her position as the 'number two' in the North Korean regime and emerged as the main actor in the deterioration of inter-Korean relations. Notably, Kim Yo-jong's language was so intense that it raised doubts about whether it was appropriate for the second-in-command of a normal state.

Kim Yo-jong claimed, "The shamelessness and ugliness reflected in the speech of the highest authority representing South Korea is truly shocking." She sharply criticized President Moon's remarks at the Blue House senior secretaries and aides meeting and his speech commemorating the 20th anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. Kim Yo-jong described them as "brazen and shameless words that sound like sour complaints" and "sophistry reeking of shamelessness and impudence in every phrase."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This behavior is unfamiliar compared to Kim Yo-jong's past actions. When she came south to attend the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February 2018, she exchanged polite greetings. Especially during her visit to the Blue House, she conveyed well wishes to President Moon, saying, "I hope you become a leading figure opening a new chapter of unification and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."

President Moon also warmly welcomed Kim Yo-jong, and their conversation was filled with smiles, creating a friendly atmosphere. Although inter-Korean relations are different now, Kim Yo-jong's recent behavior is markedly different from the past.

For a figure emerging as the North's number two to utter harsh criticism toward the South Korean leader is a politically risky act. It undermines the authority of the statement itself and destroys mutual trust. Kim Yo-jong's recent actions can be seen as a deliberate political maneuver.

The 'villain' image-making may be part of a role division with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. Kim Yo-jong's actions could be viewed as a choice to raise her value through speaking rights on Korean Peninsula issues while expanding Chairman Kim's room for maneuver.

Jung Se-hyun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, said in an interview on the 17th with tbs Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' "The fact that Chairman Kim Jong-un has not directly intervened leaves room to restore past relations with President Moon. So, Kim Yo-jong is playing the role of the villain for now," he analyzed.

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