North Korea's "Nuclear Force" Yet... Ministry of Unification Optimistic About Possibility of Inter-Korean Relations Improvement

"North Mentions 'Spring Day 3 Years Ago' and 'New Starting Point'"
"Evaluated as Suggesting Possibility of Inter-Korean Relations Improvement"

North Korea's Korean Central TV reported on the 14th that Chairman Kim Jong Un watched the 8th Party Congress commemorative performance "Singing to the Party" held at the Pyongyang Gymnasium the previous day. At the Party Congress held from the 5th to the 12th of this month, Chairman Kim maintained a solemn expression throughout, but on this day, he smiled broadly and showed satisfaction. Korean Central News Agency reported, "The General Secretary expressed satisfaction with the performers' achievements."

The Ministry of Unification interpreted North Korea's message to the South, delivered through the 8th Party Congress, on the 14th as "indicating a stance toward improving inter-Korean relations."

In an analysis report on the 8th Party Congress of North Korea distributed that day, the Ministry analyzed the content related to the South in the Party Congress's summary of work and stated, "They demanded a sincere change in attitude, including resolving our 'fundamental issues.'

The Ministry of Unification particularly focused on the part where North Korea urged that 'active measures must be taken to manage and improve the current inter-Korean relations, which are on the brink of collapse.'

The use of expressions such as 'active measures' is interpreted by the Ministry as North Korea emphasizing the importance of resuming inter-Korean relations.

Additionally, regarding expressions like 'new path,' 'spring days three years ago,' and 'a new starting point for peace and prosperity' in North Korea's summary of work related to the South, the Ministry explained that these "suggest the possibility of improving inter-Korean relations depending on our side's attitude."

However, considering that the 'fundamental issues' North Korea demands to be resolved are difficult for the South to accept immediately, there are also criticisms that the message from North Korea might be interpreted too positively.

Regarding North Korea's message to the United States at the Party Congress, the Ministry stated that "although the U.S. was described as the 'greatest enemy,' the door to dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. was not completely closed, indicating a moderated tone."

About Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un, who was demoted in position at this Party Congress, the Ministry viewed that "although she was excluded from the candidate membership of the Party Political Bureau, which superficially lowers her status, she is likely to continue as a key aide to Chairman Kim Jong-un in matters related to the South and foreign affairs."

Regarding Kim Jong-un being elevated to 'Party General Secretary,' it was interpreted as "indicating that his status and authority have become absolute."

On whether North Korea will continue commemorative events such as military parades after the Party Congress, a Ministry of Unification official explained, "Considering past cases like the 7th Party Congress, it is expected that mass events and celebrations related to the Party's tasks will continue."

However, the official added, "There is no information to confirm regarding the military parade trends," and "There has been no case of holding a military parade specifically to mark a Party Congress in the past."

Meanwhile, Chairman Kim Jong-un, through the 8th Workers' Party Congress concluded on the 12th, forecasted the enhancement of nuclear forces and defined inter-Korean cooperation projects as "non-essential issues," foreshadowing a difficult path for inter-Korean relations. On the 12th, Vice Director Kim Yo-jong issued a statement harshly criticizing the South for monitoring the military parade, using terms such as "complete idiots" and "bizarre creatures."

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