Park Ji-won: "There Was Meaningful Communication Between North and South"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, reportedly informed the National Assembly on the 9th that “meaningful communication has recently taken place between South and North Korea.”

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, attended the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly on the 9th and reviewed materials before the meeting began. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At the full meeting of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that day, Director Park reportedly said, “Communication occurred around the time of the South Korea-US summit,” according to attendees.

However, he did not report specific timing or communication channels. The South Korea-US summit was held at the White House in the United States on the 21st of last month local time.

Regarding North Korea’s lack of an official stance on the outcome of the South Korea-US summit, Director Park reportedly explained, “Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, likely evaluated and analyzed the US’s North Korea policy and the summit without making an official announcement.”

He also stated, “It is expected that through the Party plenary meeting or via Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, Choe Son-hui, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, North Korea will issue a detailed and critical assessment on issues such as the Taiwan Strait, missiles, and human rights,” adding, “However, this will be a customary process and a step to clarify their position on engaging in dialogue with the United States.”

Regarding the speculation that Jo Yong-won, Party Secretary for Organization, might take the position of First Secretary of the Workers' Party, which is directly below General Secretary Kim, Director Park reportedly stated, “There is no related intelligence.”

However, he reportedly added, “Since Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director, plays a practical second-in-command role concerning inter-Korean, US-related, livelihood, and COVID-19 issues, even if Jo Yong-won becomes First Secretary, the second-in-command role will be assigned to Deputy Director Kim.”

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