Kim Yo-jong's Remarks Are Not 'Let's Stop Talking'... A Message Urging 'Dialogue Momentum'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Experts analyzed that Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, issuing a statement targeting the United States with the phrase "interpretation is more important than the dream" should be interpreted not as a refusal to engage in dialogue but as a call to present momentum for entering talks.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, responded to reporters on the 22nd (local time) when asked about the U.S. position on Kim Yo-jong's statement the previous day, saying, "We are aware of the statement, but there is no change in our perspective on diplomacy," and added, "We continue to hope that North Korea will respond positively to our outreach."

Earlier, regarding Kim Yo-jong's comment on Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, emphasizing "preparing for both dialogue and confrontation," and Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, describing it as an "interesting signal," she said, "interpretation is more important than the dream," and warned, "Having misplaced expectations will only lead to greater disappointment." Some interpreted this literally as a refusal to engage in dialogue.

However, considering Price's additional remarks, it is interpreted that the U.S. does not view Kim Yo-jong's statement as a signal to halt dialogue. The U.S. intends to continue managing the situation on the Korean Peninsula stably while seeking dialogue with the North. Experts also interpreted Kim Yo-jong's statement as a call to create momentum for dialogue rather than a cessation of talks.

Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies analyzed, "Kim Yo-jong's statement is not a refusal to talk but a message requesting a concrete justification to come to the dialogue," and added, "Even if North Korea does not immediately come to talks, the fact that it is not conducting nuclear or missile provocations means it is preparing for dialogue."

Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the University of North Korean Studies also explained, "Although Kim Jong-un said at the plenary meeting that they are preparing for both 'dialogue and confrontation,' the U.S. interpreted it with emphasis on dialogue, which caused a backlash," and added, "It does not mean that dialogue has been abandoned, but that they want a clear justification according to the principle of 'strong against strong, preemptive against preemptive' before coming to talks."

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