Pyongyang: The North Korean leader's influential sister has dismissed South Korea's recent attempts at reconciliation as mere "pipedreams," firmly denying claims by Seoul's military that the North has removed certain propaganda loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the North Korean ruling party's central committee, stated that North Korea has no intention of improving relations with South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK). She emphasized that this stance would be enshrined in the country's constitution in the future.
This statement comes amidst a series of gestures by South Korea's new administration under Lee Jae Myung, including the suspension of propaganda broadcasts, dismantling of border-area loudspeakers, and adjustments to annual military exercises with the United States, all intended to ease tensions with Pyongyang. However, Kim refuted claims that the North had reciprocated by removing its loudspeakers.
Kim dismissed these assertions as "unfounded unilateral supposition" and a "red herring," insisting that the North has neither removed nor intends to remove any loudspeakers from the border area. She also criticized the scaling down of the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills, scheduled for August 18-28, arguing that such measures would be ineffective in mending relations.
Kim accused South Korea of making a "foolish calculation" in expecting a positive response from the North, suggesting that Seoul's actions were an attempt to shift blame for rising tensions and garner international support. She reiterated that North Korea remains uninterested in resuming dialogue with the United States, as long as denuclearization remains the focus.
Kim also addressed speculation about a potential message from North Korea to U.S. President Donald Trump through Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is set to meet Trump in Alaska. She denied any intention of sending such a message, stating, "We have nothing to do with the U.S."