South Korea's new government tries and fails to make amends with North Korea
An uneasy peace
It's been 70 years since the governments of North and South Korea signed an armistice that put the Korean War on hold. However, a formal peace agreement has never been reached between Seoul and Pyongyang.
Rebuking an olive branch of peace
AP News reports that Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has rebuked the initiative of South Korea’s new liberal government to extend an olive branch to Pyongyang.
'Blind trust'
According to AP News, Kim claims that, in her opinion, Seoul’s government is no different from its predecessor when it comes to “blind trust” in the United States and animosity towards North Korea.
Thanks, but no thanks
“We clarify once again the official stand that no matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither a reason to meet nor an issue to be discussed,” Kim Yo-jong said in an official statement cited by AP News.
The enemy
CNN writes that the sister of Kim Jong-un underscored that South Korea still remains “the enemy” of Pyongyang and that North Korea has “no interest” in talks with Seoul.
You can't turn back the clock of history
“There can be no change in our state’s understanding of the enemy, and they cannot turn back the hands of the clock of the history,” Kim said, in a declaration quoted by CNN.
New government, new hope
AP News reports that new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June, has been making an effort to improve relations with his country’s northern neighbor.
Descalation at the DMZ
Some signs of Lee’s efforts described by AP News are halting loudspeakers broadcasting propaganda across the border and banning activists from flying balloons with propaganda towards North Korea.
Breaking with the past
CNN reports that Lee’s approach to Pyongyang draws a stark contrast to his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol (pictured), and his hardline stance towards North Korea.
Despite everything
According to CNN, Unification Ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam considered that the comments made by Kim Yo Jong were a positive sign of inter-Korean relations.
