"Inter-Korean Relations to Change After North Korea's Party Congress in January Next Year"

North Korea's Inter-Korean Relations 'Hard-Soft Strategy', Experts Focus on Post-November US Election Situation... Blue House Takes a Breather, No North Korea Discussion Expected at November 12 Security Council Meeting

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lim Cheol-young] Following the 75th anniversary military parade of the Workers' Party of Korea, there is a possibility that inter-Korean relations will reach a new turning point after North Korea's 8th Party Congress scheduled for January next year.

Former Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-cheol appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 12th and said, "It seems North Korea is considering various environments, but the most important factor is the result of the U.S. presidential election," adding, "From the military parade, one can read the intention to manage the situation." He continued, "The 8th Party Congress is scheduled to be held in January next year, where they need to assess the situation and decide on a strategic direction."

Jeong Se-hyun, Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council, stated in an interview with tbs Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' on the 12th, "Probably, after next year's Party Congress, inter-Korean relations will be somewhat different from before, meaning that even if North Korea-U.S. relations improve, inter-Korean relations should take a step ahead and be promoted accordingly."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Vice Chairman Jeong said, "In the phrase 'beloved southern compatriots' used by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, I thought there was a kind of foreshadowing considering inter-Korean relations after next year," adding, "A politician's remarks are not just chosen to sound good," leaving room for interpretation.

On the other hand, former Minister Kim said, "The conciliatory message from Chairman Kim is similar to the expressions found in the letters," and drew a line by saying, "There is no need to overinterpret it."

President Moon Jae-in is unlikely to make direct remarks regarding the 75th anniversary military parade of the Workers' Party of Korea at the Blue House senior secretaries and aides meeting on the afternoon of the 12th. The reason President Moon is being reserved is not unrelated to strategic considerations concerning the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

On the 10th, North Korea employed a 'hard and soft strategy' surrounding inter-Korean relations through the military parade. Chairman Kim Jong-un conveyed a message about restoring inter-Korean relations through the unusual expression "beloved southern compatriots." On the other hand, North Korea also showcased its capability to strike the U.S. mainland by unveiling new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon is expected to deliver a public message regarding the easing of social distancing to level 1 at the security briefing on the 12th, but no separate mention of North Korea is anticipated. The Blue House is said to be emphasizing a period of calm. The atmosphere at the Blue House was conveyed through the National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee meeting chaired by National Security Office Director Suh Hoon on the 11th.

Regarding the NSC Standing Committee results, the Blue House stated, "Various agreements between the South and the North to prevent mutual armed conflict and war must be strictly observed."

Furthermore, the Blue House added, "While paying attention to North Korea's position to restore inter-Korean relations as soon as the environment is conducive, we will closely monitor related developments and have relevant ministries respond with a coordinated stance." The intention to respond with a coordinated stance among related ministries implies a 'unified message.'

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