Kim wants to boost reconciliation
• North Korea’s leader gives instructions for measures aimed at more inter-Korean engagement after sister’s visit to Winter Olympics
North Korea’s leader said he wanted to boost the “warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue” with South Korea after his high-level delegation returned from a visit to the South. But his foes reiterated the need to keep up maximum pressure and sanctions.
Kim gave instructions for measures aimed at more interKorean engagement after his sister Kim Yo-jong led a threeday visit to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, North Korea’s state media reported on Tuesday. It did not specify what those instructions were.
The US has appeared to endorse deeper post-Olympics engagement between the two Koreas that could lead to talks between Pyongyang and Washington. US officials have also said international sanctions should be ramped up to push North Korea to give up its nuclear programme.
MAXIMUM PRESSURE
That sentiment was repeated by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday, who said South Korean President Moon Jae-in had agreed it was necessary to keep up maximum pressure on North Korea.
North Korea conducted dozens of missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test in 2017 in defiance of UN resolutions as it pursues its goal of developing a nuclear-armed missile that is capable of reaching the US.
Japanese officials took pains to stress there was no difference between Japan, the US and South Korea on their approach to dealing with North Korea.
“If it is North Korea’s intention to use the Olympics politically and to weaken international pressure, we must not be enticed by it,” Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said.
A senior military official stationed at the border between North and South Korea said North Korea had lowered the volume of its border propaganda broadcasts since the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.
“I still hear it, but it is much less than before,” said the official who is stationed on the southern side of the border and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Moon, who was offered a meeting with Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang via his sister, has been pushing for a diplomatic solution to the standoff over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Seoul is planning to push ahead with its plans for reunions of family members separated by the 1950-53 Korean War in order to sustain the dialogue prompted by the North Korean delegation’s visit.
US President Donald Trump urged Russia to do more in urging North Korea to scrap its nuclear programme, the White House said on Monday, aimed at intensifying the pressure campaign on Pyongyang.
Talk of an inter-Korean summit, which would be the first since 2007 if it happened, comes after months of tension between Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington. An exchange of fiery words between Kim and Trump ratcheted up unease on the Korean peninsula.
SINCERE EFFORTS
As with North Korean media at the weekend, the Korean Central News Agency report again made no mention of the summit offer made to Moon. Rather, Kim gave his gratitude to Seoul for their “sincere efforts” to prioritise the delegation’s visit, which were “very impressive”, the report said.
Moon and his administration hosted several meetings and meals for the delegation during their stay at the presidential Blue House and luxury five-star hotels, while Moon accompanied Kim Yo-jong to events at the Olympics and a concert.
In addition to the high-level delegation, hundreds of North Koreans, including an orchestra and a cheer squad, have visited South Korea for the Winter Olympics. The cheerleading team will be attendance at the united women’s ice hockey team’s final game in the Olympics on Wednesday, facing old rival Japan to conclude preliminary round play.
SEOUL IS PLANNING TO PUSH AHEAD WITH PLANS FOR REUNIONS OF FAMILY MEMBERS SEPARATED BY THE KOREAN WAR