'Spring of March' and 'Termination of Inter-Korean Military Agreement' Mentioned by Kim Yo-jong... Pressure on South Korea and the US

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, criticized the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises in a statement, saying "The spring days from three years ago are unlikely to return," and announced extraordinary measures such as the termination of the inter-Korean military agreement and the dismantling of the inter-Korean liaison office. She also warned the Biden administration, "Do not create matters that will cause sleepless nights." Experts interpret this as an attempt to pressure the South Korean government and the U.S. ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to South Korea.

Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 16th, "This statement reaffirms that the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises were described as a 'fundamental issue' at the 8th Party Congress," and "It is pressure on the South to show sincerity regarding the 'fundamental issue' ahead of the South Korea-U.S. foreign and defense ministers' (2+2) meeting."

He explained that it is a warning not to make provocative remarks toward North Korea during the South Korea-U.S. 2+2 meeting, while also demanding a progressive message regarding the joint military exercises. Regarding Kim Yo-jong's remark about the 'spring days three years ago,' Professor Yang said, "She did not say the spring days 'do not exist,' but that they are 'difficult to return,' which implies there is room for dialogue," adding, "If sincerity is shown on the 'fundamental issue,' they can meet and discuss non-fundamental issues such as epidemic control."

Professor Lim Eul-chul of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University said, "The emphasis is on warning about the severance of inter-Korean relations," but also explained, "'We will closely watch the attitude and actions of the South Korean authorities' indicates that they are waiting to see the content of the meetings with the U.S. Secretary of State and Defense Secretary visiting tomorrow, so if our government creates momentum for a phase change, there is a possibility the situation could change."

Professor Lim analyzed, "The messages sent by the Biden administration so far, such as emphasizing human rights and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, are quite disappointing to North Korea," and "ultimately, it also contains a warning not to make remarks or have meeting content that seriously provokes them during the South Korea-U.S. 2+2 meeting." This is a warning about the possibility of severance and collapse of inter-Korean relations, pressuring both our government and the U.S.

Some speculate there is concern about military action. Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the University of North Korean Studies said regarding Kim Yo-jong mentioning the dismantling of the inter-Korean dialogue body, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, the Kumgangsan International Tourism Bureau, and the termination of the inter-Korean military agreement, "It is similar to the incident three days after Kim Yo-jong's statement in June last year when the inter-Korean joint liaison office was blown up," adding, "At that time, three things were mentioned: the closure of the inter-Korean joint liaison office, the complete dismantling of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the termination of the inter-Korean military agreement." Also, since the 8th Party Congress emphasized national defense capabilities, he suggested there is a possibility of imminent military action.

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