Ministry of Unification Hopes for Continued Development of Inter-Korean Relations Following Kim Jong-un's Speech

"Restoration of Inter-Korean Dialogue and Resumption of Health and Medical Cooperation"
"Urgent Call for Military Communication Line Recovery and Joint West Sea Investigation"

North Korea held a military parade on the 10th to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, according to the Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun. Standing at the podium, Chairman Kim Jong-un solemnly raised his right hand in a salute as he looked over the square where the parade was taking place.

On the 10th, the Ministry of Unification expressed hope that the conciliatory message toward South Korea delivered by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un in his speech at the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea would lead to the development of inter-Korean relations.

The Ministry of Unification stated, "We take note of Chairman Kim Jong-un's message at the 75th anniversary military parade of the Workers' Party of Korea, in which he sent condolences to our people regarding the overcoming of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) and hinted at the possibility of improving inter-Korean relations."

The ministry added, "To this end, we hope that dialogue between the two Koreas will be restored and that, once the environment is created, mutual cooperation will resume starting with humanitarian and healthcare sectors, including COVID-19."

Furthermore, it urged, "We call on the North to actively respond to our side's requests for the restoration and reactivation of military communication lines and a joint investigation related to the deaths of our citizens in the West Sea."

In his speech at the military parade held the previous day, Chairman Kim expressed a public conciliatory message to the South, saying, "I warmly send this heartfelt message to our beloved compatriots in the South and pray that this health crisis will be overcome as soon as possible and that the North and South will once again join hands."

As this message from Chairman Kim came amid a series of setbacks in inter-Korean relations, including the West Sea shooting incident, the government is also on high alert.

The Blue House held an emergency Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by National Security Office Director Suh Hoon on the same day, stating, "NSC standing members paid attention to North Korea's position to restore inter-Korean relations once the environment is created, and agreed to closely monitor related developments and respond with coordinated positions among relevant ministries."

The Korea Institute for National Unification evaluated Chairman Kim's speech by saying, "Considering the obstacles created in the campaign to break sanctions through self-reliance, the need to manage friendly external relations has increased," and analyzed, "The suspension of military actions against the South, the apology for the killing of civilians, and the hint at improving inter-Korean relations can be interpreted as a withdrawal of Kim Jong-un's order to suspend inter-Korean relations issued at the end of 2019."

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