Kim Yo-jong, the Director of the Department of Organization and Guidance of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, issued a statement containing a dual message of appreciation and disconnection in response to President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over the civilian drone incident. Analysts suggest that even after her recent promotion at the party congress, she maintains her role as a spokesperson while maximizing the pressure effect in her messages toward South Korea.
On Monday, the Korean Central News Agency released a statement attributed to Kim Yo-jong. She described President Lee’s remarks as highly fortunate and a wise decision for himself. Quoting Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party, she added that it reflected the attitude of an honest and bold person.
However, separate from her evaluation of the expression of regret, she clearly indicated a willingness to block attempts at inter-Korean contact while also distancing herself from improving relations.
Traditionally, North Korea has issued messages to South Korea where the Ministry of National Defense or the General Staff delivers military threats, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends diplomatic signals, and Kim Yo-jong ultimately communicates political judgments and the regime’s intentions.
In this statement, analysts note that even after her promotion to Director, Kim Yo-jong continues to oversee the party’s overall administration while also maintaining her role in managing existing policies toward South Korea and abroad.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, commented that Kim Yo-jong’s role in issuing public statements regarding remarks from South Korean ministers and significant comments from the U.S. appears to continue as it did during her time as Deputy Director. He added that regardless of the title change, her practical status as a channel for political messages toward South Korea and the U.S. remains unchanged.
Notably, by quoting Kim Jong Un and providing a generous evaluation that goes beyond merely addressing the incident, the statement takes on a form suggesting communication between heads of state. Analysts interpret this as a structure that combines warnings and pressure in the way the Director conveys messages.
Maintaining the dual structure of conditional management while simultaneously overseeing existing policies toward South Korea and abroad, Hong explained that this typical dual structure of sending goodwill and threats simultaneously maximizes the psychological warfare effect of North Korea’s standardized discourse.
The first statement following the public announcement of her new title also showed signs of moderation.
When the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise Freedom Shield began in March, Kim Yo-jong expressed opposition through a statement, warning that it could lead to terrifying results. Instead of using the term nuclear, she referred to destructive forces, including special means, suggesting the mobilization of nuclear capabilities in case of emergency while refraining from direct criticism of the U.S., indicating a focus on managing the situation.
This reflects North Korea’s typical message toward South Korea, combining appeasement and threats, interpreted as a strategy to control tensions while intensifying psychological pressure. Attention will be on whether North Korea will continue this dual approach of conditional management messages while limiting actual contact with South Korea.
The National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee the day before that Kim Yo-jong is expected to continue as Kim Jong Un’s confidante, overseeing the implementation of directives and serving as a spokesperson for external affairs. They confirmed that there is no significant change in her practical power through this personnel change.
