On Thursday, the Blue House addressed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s declaration to permanently exclude South Korea from the category of fellow countrymen. In response, the Blue House emphasized that the South Korean government will continue its efforts to foster a future of peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity between North and South Korea.
A Blue House official conveyed this message through a media statement, asserting that to achieve this goal, both sides must refrain from hostile and confrontational rhetoric and work towards building a foundation of mutual respect and trust.
According to North Korea’s state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Kim stated during the summary report of the 9th Party Congress that it will solidify the current state of complete severance with South Korea and will not resurrect any misguided past under any circumstances. He further remarked that the only way for South Korea to escape its geopolitical ties with them is to renounce all interactions with North Korea and refrain from provocation.
Kim also criticized the current South Korean administration’s outwardly conciliatory stance as a clumsy act of deception and a poor performance, clearly rejecting President Lee Jae Myung’s policy of engagement with North Korea.
However, Kim indicated a potential for improved relations with the U.S., saying that if the U.S. respects our nation’s current status as outlined in the Constitution of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and withdraws its hostile policies, there would be no reason for them not to maintain good relations. He added that the future of U.S.-North Korea relations depends entirely on the attitude of the American side.