The South Korean government has acknowledged the statement by Kim Yo Jong, the deputy director of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, in which she declared that there would be no meeting with South Korea. While this confirms the existence of a high wall of distrust between the two Koreas, the South Korean government reaffirmed its commitment to improving inter-Korean relations.
During a regular press briefing at the Government Complex Seoul on Monday, Koo Byung Sam, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification of South Korea, stated that Kim’s statement indicates that North Korean authorities are closely monitoring the direction of the Lee Jae-myung administration’s policy toward North Korea. He added that the South Korean government has confirmed that years of hostile confrontational policies have resulted in a very high wall of distrust between the two Koreas.
Koo further emphasized that the South Korean government will not be swayed by North Korea’s reactions. He emphasized that the government will calmly and consistently pursue efforts to promote reconciliation and cooperation, with the aim of achieving peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
Regarding the level of criticism in Kim’s statement, Koo assessed that there were no particularly hostile or mocking expressions.
The presidential office also issued a statement to reporters, stating, “We are attentive to North Korea’s position, as expressed through the first statement from a senior North Korean official since our government took office.” They reiterated, “We have confirmed that years of hostile and confrontational policies have culminated in a very high wall of distrust between the two Koreas.”
The presidential office stressed that establishing peace—a state in which conflict is unnecessary—is a core philosophy of the Lee Jae-myung administration. The Lee administration is committed to taking consistent actions to create a Korean Peninsula free from hostility and war.
In Kim’s statement released via the Korean Central News Agency, titled “The Relationship with South Korea Has Completely Transcended the Concept of Kinship,” Kim asserted that North Korea has no interest in the policies established or proposals emerging in Seoul, and she officially reaffirmed that North Korea will not engage in discussions or meetings with South Korea.
This marks North Korea’s first official response to the Lee Jae-myung administration’s policy toward North Korea.
Regarding the Lee administration’s conciliatory gestures towards North Korea, Kim dismissed the cessation of psychological warfare broadcasts—which South Korean officials described as a first signal of trust restoration—stating that all of that is merely a problem South Korea brought upon itself. She added that whatever measures South Korea takes will be their own business and simply a reversal of actions they should have avoided long ago.