Kim Jong-un calls S. Korean concert ‘overwhelming’
NK leader proposes another joint performance in fall
After watching a South Korean performance troupe’s concert in Pyongyang, Sunday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said it will provide new momentum for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
“As the title of the concert, Spring Comes, paved the way for spring and for peace,” Kim said, “The two Koreas will be able to expect a good autumn harvest if we keep the upbeat mood going forward.”
The remarks came after a group of South Korean musicians and singers ended their historic performance in Pyongyang, the first by South Koreans in 13 years. Eleven different artists — including renowned pop singer Cho Yong-pil and four of the five-member girl band, Red Velvet — performed in the concert.
Kim also expressed gratitude to the performers for delivering what he called an “overwhelmingly touching” concert which drew applause from the North Korean audience.
The young dictator said he cancelled another scheduled event to watch the performance, as President Moon Jae-in did so in February when a North Korean troupe performed a concert in Seoul on the sidelines of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
The Korea Central News Agency also gave the performance headlines, saying that Kim expressed “hearty thanks” to the South Koreans’ performance. The regime’s primary mouthpiece said Kim has a hectic diplomatic schedule this month, but visited the performance venue to send a message of grati- tude to the South Korean delegation.
Cheong Wa Dae said the cultural exchange will help build a stronger reconciliatory mood between Seoul and Pyongyang.
An official from the presidential office said: “Kim’s remarks are a good sign f or the two Koreas to expand the momentum for reconciliation and dialogue.”
Kim is also said to have stressed the importance of holding as many cultural and art performances as possible, and that the two Koreas can hold another joint concert in Seoul sometime in autumn under the title “Fall Comes.” The government has yet to make any announcements over whether another inter-Korean music concert will be held in Seoul this year.
The South Korean troupe, which is on a three-day visit to Pyongyang from Sunday, plans to stage a joint performance with North Korean musicians today. Given that Kim made a surprise visit to the performance by the South, there is a high probability that he may attend the upcoming event.
Last month, Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to hold the joint concert during a working-level dialogue ahead of their planned April 27 summit.
The rare inter-Korean engagement started in February when North Korea sent a large delegation to participate in the Winter Olympics in the South.
The inter-Korean reconciliatory mood is still ongoing, with the two countries exchanging little provocative rhetoric even at a time when the South and the United States are conducting joint military exercises which started Sunday.
The rare peace mood even allowed Kim to state that he understands the need for the annual drills between Seoul and Washington in his meeting with President Moon’s special envoys last month.