[Anchor]
Amid growing attention on the possibility of resumed U.S.-North Korea dialogue, North Korea's Kim Yo-jong has issued a statement mocking the South Korean government. While exercising restraint against tit-for-tat criticisms, the Blue House drew the line at the insults and urged North Korea to join the "journey" of transforming the armistice regime into a peace regime.
Reporter Kim Hye-young has the details.
[Reporter]
The Blue House maintained an emotionally restrained response to the statement issued by Kim Yo-jong, deputy department director of the Workers' Party of Korea, criticizing South Korea.
Instead, the Blue House urged, "Derogatory remarks against our government and the President are of no help in building mutual trust," calling for an end to "unnecessary vitriol and to move forward together toward peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula."
While avoiding escalating tensions through a "counter-criticism," it drew a clear line against Kim Yo-jong's provocative rhetoric.
The Blue House also reiterated its commitment to pursuing a peaceful coexistence policy based on mutual respect and continuing its role as a "pacemaker" for the resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue.
The South Korean government issued an official statement urging, "Do not distort our will for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and join us on the 'journey' to convert the unstable armistice regime into a peace regime," adding, "Only when the South and the North stand together can we successfully complete this 'journey' to the end."
A high-ranking Unification Ministry official emphasized, "A peace regime cannot be achieved unless the South and the North look in the same direction," noting, "From that perspective, disparagement or distortion must not occur, and consideration and respect for the other party are necessary."
A government official told SBS, "Judging by Kim Yo-jong's statement, it appears there were no prior behind-the-scenes contacts between the U.S. and North Korea," while adding, "Given that she did not directly criticize U.S. President Donald Trump, it seems she has left the door open for dialogue."
The South Korean government appears focused on seeing through the intent behind North Korea's criticism to avoid falling into premature optimism, while dedicating its efforts to supporting the realization of President Trump's dialogue overtures.
Having shortened the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills to six days in accordance with President Trump's request for scaled-down exercises, the South Korean military plans to conduct only 7 out of the 14 originally scheduled joint field training exercises.
(Reported by Cho Choon-dong | Video edited by Lee Seung-yeol | Graphics by Park Tae-young)
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