According to the english section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and france 24, Kim Yo jong, vice director of the Workers’ Party central committee and powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected South Korea’s offer for negotiations.
Since winning the June election, South Korea’s new President Lee Jae Myung has distanced himself from the confrontational tone of former President Yoon Suk Yeol toward North Korea. He has called for dialogue and engagement with Pyongyang.
The new South Korean administration also halted broadcasts from loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border-an action taken in response to balloons carrying trash and waste sent by North Korea toward Seoul.
Soon after these broadcasts stopped, North Korea suspended its reciprocal measures. However, kim Yo Jong warned that this should not be misunderstood.
She told the korean Central News Agency: “Such actions do not mean Seoul can expect a thaw in relations. If the Republic of korea expects to reverse everything with a few emotional words, it is seriously mistaken.”
The senior Pyongyang official reiterated: “We reaffirm our official stance that regardless of policies pursued or proposals made by Seoul,we have no interest or reason to meet or hold talks with the Republic of Korea.”
She stressed: “Relations between the Democratic People’s republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea have irreversibly moved beyond mere geographic proximity.”
Despite a 1953 armistice agreement ending active hostilities during the 1950-1953 war, North and South Korea remain technically at war.
The United States-as South Korea’s primary security ally-maintains approximately 28,000 troops in Seoul under pretext of defending against potential nuclear threats from Pyongyang. The new South Korean president insists on seeking talks without conditions imposed beforehand.
