Kim Yo-jong Statement: 'U.S. is Great... South Korea is Pitiful,' a Dual Attitude

Kim Yo-jong, a senior official of the North Korean Workers' Party, criticized the South Korean government on the night of the 20th regarding the reduction of the ROK-U.S. combined exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' (UFS), via a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency. Kim stated, "Because of a single word from Trump, Seoul finds itself in a pitiful position where it must fold up its most favorite 'war game' board." Unlike the previous day when she assessed the North Korea-U.S. summit relations as 'excellent' regarding the United States, she sent a chilly signal to South Korea.

Regarding President Lee Jae-myung, Kim stated, "Lee Jae-myung's double-faced words and actions—flattering with embarrassing remarks in the front saying he 'respects' Trump's 'decision to reduce exercises' or calling it a 'big decision filled with agony,' while sitting behind and talking about 'self-reliant national defense' and 'securing independent military power' to prepare for the 'worst-case scenario'—show South Korea's anxious and contradictory psychology exactly as it is." Although Kim stated she felt "no interest at all" in the reduction of the ROK-U.S. training itself, she pointed out that she is "paying attention to the reality that it is still proceeding."

Regarding U.S. President Trump mentioning that he had communicated with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, Kim drew a line, saying it was "the only issue I do not know about." However, she revealed that the Chairman holds personally good memories and feelings toward President Trump.

Experts believe North Korea has not completely closed the door to dialogue. Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, evaluated in an interview with The Hankyorel on the 20th that, "North Korea is observing additional words and actions from the U.S., and the possibility of officially exploring dialogue through North-U.S. channels has increased following this stance." Choi Yong-hwan, vice president of the Institute for National Security Strategy, said, "It seems North Korea is also showing interest but is waging a probing battle for now."