Kim Yo-jong Denounces "Delusions and Pipe Dreams"; Presidential Office Expresses Regret Over "Distortion of Sincerity" (Comprehensive)

Criticism of Ministers Jeong Dongyoung, Ahn Kyubaek, and Cho Hyun...
Reference to 'Operational Plan 5022'

The Office of the President responded to the statement by Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, who said, "South Korea cannot be our country's diplomatic counterpart," by declaring, "We will leave behind the era of hostility and confrontation and surely open a new era of peaceful coexistence and joint growth on the Korean Peninsula." However, the office also expressed regret, saying, "We are disappointed that North Korean authorities are distorting our sincere efforts."

Yonhap News

On the 20th, the Office of the President issued a statement, saying, "The proactive measures taken by the Lee Jaemyung administration for peace on the Korean Peninsula are not intended to benefit one side or to appeal to any particular party, but are for the stability and prosperity of both South and North Korea."

Previously, the Korean Central News Agency reported that on the previous day (the 19th), Deputy Director Kim held a meeting with key officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she sharply criticized "the deceptive 'appeasement offensive' and the duplicitous nature of the South Korean government," and conveyed Chairman Kim Jong-un's vision for foreign policy. This is Kim's third message directed at the South, following those on July 28 and August 14.

Kim stated, "Since the Lee Jaemyung administration took office, it is clear that they are making a show of 'serious efforts' to pretend that something has changed for the 'improvement' of inter-Korean relations." She added, "No matter how much they try to wrap their true confrontational intentions in the guise of peace, a hidden dagger cannot be concealed in a sack."

Kim also criticized President Lee's remarks at the Ulchi Cabinet Meeting, where he said, "If small actions accumulate like pebbles, mutual trust will be restored." She called these comments "delusions and pipe dreams at every turn and in every clause." President Lee had also instructed officials to prepare for the phased implementation of existing inter-Korean agreements, starting with what is feasible. In response, Kim said, "As the saying goes, 'a lone hand cannot clap' (Gojangnanmyeong), no matter how much he resolves on his own, how could he possibly put it into practice?" This reiterated her position that North Korea will not respond to the Lee Jaemyung administration's initiatives.

Furthermore, Kim said, "We have witnessed and experienced firsthand, to the point of disgust, not only the process of regime change from Moon Jae-in to Yoon Suk-yeol, but also the corrupt political system of South Korea for decades." She continued, "Whether under the banner of conservatism or the guise of democracy, South Korea's confrontational ambitions toward our republic have been inherited without the slightest change." She also remarked, "Lee Jaemyung is not a figure who will change the course of history."

Criticism of Ministers Jeong Dongyoung, Ahn Kyubaek, and Cho Hyun... Mention of 'Operational Plan 5022'

Kim also took issue with remarks made by Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung, Minister of National Defense Ahn Kyubaek, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun during their confirmation hearings as nominees, where they said, "We consider the North Korean regime and military to be our enemy."

Kim asserted, "Despite knowing full well, they continue to make incoherent statements about peace gestures and improving relations, ultimately harboring the malicious intent to shift the blame for the irreversibility of inter-Korean relations onto us." She also referred to the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) as a "rehearsal for an invasion war." She added, "Attention must be paid to the fact that in this joint military exercise, they are reviewing a new combined operational plan ('Operational Plan 5022') that aims to eliminate our nuclear and missile capabilities early and expand attacks into our territory."

Kim further stated that North Korea would focus on diplomatic offensives against South Korea on the international stage. She said, "South Korea will not even be given a minor role in regional diplomatic arenas centered on our state," and emphasized, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must seek effective countermeasures regarding relations with the most hostile countries and those that listen to their provocations, based on the conclusions drawn by our head of state about South Korea's true nature."

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