North Korea's Kim Yo-jong Calls Military's Apology Demand and President Lee's Remarks 'Part 2 of a Staged Farce'

Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, once again flatly denied North Korea's responsibility for a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and denounced the South Korean military's demand for an apology as a "self-staged farce."

In particular, she argued that North Korea's fortification of the border is intended to completely cut ties with South Korea, claiming there is no reason for them to deliberately do anything that would entangle them with the South.

In a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) today (October 2), Kim said, "An enemy is still an enemy," adding that this is "a grave conclusion we reach once again through Seoul's new self-staged farce."

She pushed back against the South Korean military, saying it had "hastily drawn an absurd conclusion" by determining that the DMZ landmine explosion was caused by North Korea's "covert and intentional landmine planting" and demanding an apology through an official statement.

Earlier on September 30, the Joint Chiefs of Staff officially demanded that North Korea halt border fortification activities, issue an apology, and take responsible measures, stating that South Korean soldiers conducting a routine search operation south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on September 21 were seriously injured by North Korean mines.

In response, Kim asked, "Why do they imagine that we would do anything to get entangled with South Korea?"

She continued that the purpose of North Korea's border fortification is "to permanently close the door so that we will never face South Korea, and so that not even wild beasts can cross over," claiming, "Our greatest wish is to sever this ill-fated connection (Karma) forever with those whom facing only causes headaches."

She also emphasized, "We do not allow even the slightest room or leeway to become entangled or interact with South Korea in any form."

She made the case that because North Korea is fortifying the border to sever ties with the South, Seoul's assessment that Pyongyang intentionally planted landmines targeting South Korea is contradictory.

Kim also pushed back against South Korea describing North Korea's actions as a "provocation."

In doing so, she cited both the Pyongyang drone infiltration incident that occurred during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and the alleged drone incursions from South Korea that North Korea claims occurred even after the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, claiming that it was actually South Korea that engaged in "provocations."

Regarding the operation to send drones to Pyongyang during the Yoon administration, a first-instance court in June found former President Yoon Suk-yeol and others guilty of aiding the enemy, recognizing that they ordered the operation to militarily provoke North Korea to create a pretext for declaring emergency martial law.

Regarding North Korea's drone infiltration claim made in January this year, the South Korean military denied it, stating that it had not operated drones on that date.

North Korea claimed that drones originating from South Korea violated North Korean airspace on September 27 last year and on January 4 this year.

Kim also mocked South Korea, contrasting the military authorities' demand for an apology with President Lee Jae-myung's remarks on easing tensions.

Kim criticized the military authorities for being preoccupied with "picking a bone without cause" through the announcement of investigation findings and official statements, while the president expressed a commitment to continue taking practical measures to reduce military tensions.

In an Armed Forces Day address yesterday (October 1), President Lee described the DMZ landmine explosion as an "unfortunate accident" and said, "We will consistently continue taking practical measures to lower military tensions between the South and the North."

Kim sarcastically commented on this, saying, "It is truly the climax of a farce too good to watch alone," adding, "It seems that Part 2 of the self-staged farce has raised its curtain."

She then mocked President Lee, saying, "He seems to intend to play the righteous leading role after throwing the world into turmoil," and added, "At any rate, I hope he gains great popularity by playing the 'righteous role.'"

Kim also released a statement earlier on September 29, completely denying North Korea's responsibility for the mine explosion and slamming the South's claims as a "self-staged farce."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.