On Saturday, North Korea said it is willing to consider holding another summit with South Korea if mutual respect between the neighbours can be assured. The comments were attributed to Kim Yo Jong, the vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the sister of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.
Speaking of the possibility of another inter-Korea summit, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim Yo Jong as saying: “I think that only when impartiality and the attitude of respecting each other are maintained, can there be smooth understanding between the North and the South and, furthermore, can several issues for improving the relations—the reestablishment of the North-South joint liaison office and the North-South summit, to say nothing of the timely declaration of the significant termination of the war—see meaningful and successful solution one by one at an early date through constructive discussions.”
She also warned the South against engaging with the United States (US), which North Korea accuses of being “hostile.” “South Korea must not try to upset the balance of military force on the Korean Peninsula with such illogical and childish, absurd assertion just as the US does. I only hope that the South Korean authorities’ moves to remove the tinderbox holding double standards bereft of impartiality, the hostile policy toward the DPRK, all the prejudices and hostile remarks undermining trust are shown in visible practice,” Kim said, referring to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
South Korea welcomed the prospect of engagement on Sunday, with the country’s Unification Ministry calling Kim’s statement “meaningful.” The Ministry said that the South consistently aimed to achieve “denuclearisation and peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue.” The Ministry added that it expected to swiftly engage with Pyongyang and implored the North to restore dormant communication hotlines.
The recent development comes after Kim Yo Jong warned South Korea against participating in a military drill with the US held in August.
The annual military drill between the US and South Korea involved combined command post training focused on computerised simulations to prepare the militaries of the two allies for various battle scenarios, including a surprise North Korean attack. Typically, the annual drill sees tens of thousands of troops on both sides and combines computer simulations with field training.
“I view this as an undesirable prelude that seriously undermines the will of the top leaders of the north and the south wishing to see a step taken towards restoring mutual trust and which further beclouds the way ahead of the north-south relations,” Kim said ahead of the drill.
Since South Korea’s confirmation of participating in the drills was made public, Pyongyang stopped answering routine calls on the inter-Korean hotline, and talks have fallen through.
North Korea Open to Resuming Dialogue With South Contingent on “Mutual Respect”
North Korean state media said that the country is willing to consider holding another inter-Korean summit if mutual respect between the rivals can be assured.
September 27, 2021
SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES