Ministry of Unification Urges North Korea to Cease Tension-Provoking Acts Including Nuclear Capability Advancement

[Asia Economy Reporter Inho Yoo] The Ministry of Unification stated on the 28th that regarding the recent declaration by Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea, of a rapid nuclear weapons development will and expansion of the scope of nuclear weapons use, "North Korea must cease all provocative acts, including the advancement of nuclear capabilities."

A Ministry of Unification official said to reporters on the same day, "It is the consistent position of the government and the international community that North Korea must promptly come to the table for dialogue and negotiation,” adding, “We will closely monitor North Korea’s movements and continue efforts for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace through close cooperation between South Korea and the United States and collaboration among related countries.”

Regarding the fundamental interests mentioned by North Korea, the Ministry official explained, “North Korea has used expressions such as ‘the fundamental interests of our people’ on various occasions, but has not yet clarified the specific meaning,” and added, “At present, it is understood to be a concept centered on the survival of the state and regime.”

Regarding the intention behind holding the military parade, it was evaluated as “an effort to strengthen regime unity centered on Kim Jong-un and to highlight the legitimacy of the Kim Jong-un regime.”

Although some speculated that Kim Jong-un might have received the title of ‘Daewonsu’ (Grand Marshal) as he appeared wearing shoulder boards resembling the Daewonsu rank at this parade, the Ministry of Unification withheld judgment.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification explained that regarding the recent claim by a defector group that leaflets were distributed to North Korea, “We are working with relevant agencies to ascertain the specific facts of when and where the leaflets were actually distributed.”

The Ministry official said to reporters that the Free Joseon Movement led by representative Park Sang-hak claimed to have distributed one million leaflets and other materials to North Korea in the Gimpo area of Gyeonggi Province from the 25th to the 26th.

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