Kim Geunsik: "Current Inter-Korean Relations, Kim Jong Un-Kim Yo Jong's Moon Jae-in Gaslighting"

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President Moon Jae-in is receiving a letter from North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un from Kim Yo-jong, the First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party and Kim Jong-un's younger sister, at the Blue House on the morning of February 10, 2018.

North Korea, which had been continuing its ultra-hardline offensive against South Korea, suddenly entered a pause on the 24th, prompting various interpretations about the background. Among these, an analysis has emerged that this is North Korea's 'gaslighting' strategy against South Korea. Gaslighting refers to the act of cunningly manipulating another person's psychology or situation to make them doubt themselves, thereby strengthening control over that person.

On the 25th, Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University stated on his Facebook, "What North Korea aims at South Korea through a strong offensive drive and sudden phase change is more about taming the Moon Jae-in administration to comply with its will than securing domestic and international benefits."

Professor Kim explained, "By escalating military provocations, distributing leaflets criticizing President Moon Jae-in, and conducting loudspeaker broadcasts, the Blue House and President Moon are pushed to a critical threshold that is hard to endure. Afterwards, by showing a dramatic concession by Kim Jong-un, North Korea aims to tame South Korea to still have expectations and affection toward it."

Professor Kim Geun-sik, Kyungnam University

He emphasized, "Until now, South Korea has been tamed by blaming itself instead of North Korea, saying 'North Korea has reasons to be angry,' 'We did not keep our promises,' and 'It's America's fault.' Now, with Kim Jong-un's dramatic display of affection, South Korea is made to feel grateful to Kim Jong-un again and resolve to treat North Korea better?this is a typical taming tactic."

Professor Kim argued, "North Korea insults and abuses its counterpart, then suddenly shows dramatic affection, causing the abused party to love and expect North Korea again?this is a sophisticated psychological gaslighting method. In fact, the Moon Jae-in administration and its supporters will positively evaluate Kim Jong-un's dramatic decision to hold back and become more convinced of their one-sided love for North Korea, believing that inter-Korean reconciliation cooperation is just and possible."

Meanwhile, on the 24th, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, abruptly suspended the military action plan against South Korea announced by the North Korean General Staff. The North Korean military began dismantling the loudspeakers directed at South Korea, which had been reinstalled after two years, just three days after installation. North Korea's external propaganda media were confirmed to be simultaneously deleting articles condemning the leaflet distribution. The inter-Korean relations, which had been on the brink of a military clash, have for now entered a pause.

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