Seoul: North Korea's recent criticisms of the Lee Jae Myung administration's efforts to establish peace may be driven by worries that these initiatives could lead to calls for denuclearization, according to experts.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong, the prominent sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, expressed disapproval of Lee's conciliatory gestures towards Pyongyang and condemned the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise between South Korea and the United States. Kim asserted that South Korea's true confrontational nature cannot be concealed and labeled Lee's peace-building attempts as "a fancy and a pipe dream." She further declared that Seoul could not be considered a diplomatic partner for North Korea and would not hold any significant role in the regional diplomatic landscape dominated by Pyongyang.
Additionally, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Kim Jong-un's recent inspection of a naval destroyer test, during which he accused the joint military exercises of South Korea and the U.S. of inciting war, and called for a "rapid expansion" of North Korea's nuclear arsenal. These criticisms pose a challenge to the Lee government, which since assuming office in June, has actively sought to mend relations with Pyongyang.
In his recent Liberation Day address, Lee emphasized South Korea's respect for North Korea's political system and assured that Seoul would not pursue unification by absorption or engage in hostile actions against the North. Experts suggest that North Korea's statements might aim to sidestep potential repercussions of Seoul's peace efforts, including international attention to denuclearization calls.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that North Korea seems to feel pressured by South Korea's focus on denuclearization as part of its peace-building efforts on the global stage. He also mentioned that North Korea may be wary of Seoul using the peace initiative to influence Washington-Pyongyang relations.
Lee is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for a summit in Washington soon, with expectations that the meeting will enhance cooperation on North Korean issues and highlight the importance of denuclearization. Following Kim Yo-jong's remarks, Lee's office expressed "regret" over North Korea's "distorted representation of our sincere efforts" and reiterated the administration's commitment to peace.
The presidential office reassured that the peace overtures aim for stability and prosperity for both Koreas and promised continued efforts. The unification ministry also supported this stance, emphasizing the need for mutual respect from both Seoul and Pyongyang to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula.