The government believes that the role of the Administration Department has expanded following the recent appointment of Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong Un North Korean Workers’ Party General Secretary, as its head.
On Tuesday, a Unification Ministry official told reporters that Kim’s morning statement criticizing the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises reveals a shift in responsibilities. Previous heads of the Administration Department didn’t engage in such activities, but with Kim’s appointment, we’re seeing this change, the official explained.
Kim was promoted from deputy head to head (ministerial level) of the Administration Department during last month’s 9th Workers’ Party Congress. Traditionally, this department has managed the party’s internal affairs, including administration, documentation, finances, and supplies.
However, Kim’s recent statements on South Korea and the U.S. suggest she still maintains her role in external affairs. This development indicates that the Administration Department’s responsibilities may have expanded to include foreign and adversarial operations.
Analyzing Kim’s remarks, the official stated that while her words contain veiled threats, she didn’t directly mention the U.S. They interprets this as a calculated response, addressing the joint exercises while considering the current geopolitical climate.
In her statement, Kim warned that as international aggressors destabilize global security, leading to widespread conflict, the U.S.-South Korea war games in Korea will further jeopardize regional stability. Military demonstrations by hostile forces near the sovereign territory could result in catastrophic consequences.