North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is gesturing as he watches the test launch of a new type of tactical guided weapon, according to state media, North Korea, in this undated photo released on April 16, 2022 by North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA through REUTERS
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SEOUL, April 22 (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchanged letters with outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in and thanked him for trying to improve relations, state media reported KCNA on Friday amid tensions over arms tests. Pyongyang.
The exchange of letters came amid strained cross-border ties following the failed North Korea-US summit in 2019 and growing tensions after Pyongyang launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) last month, violating a 2017 self-imposed moratorium. Read more
Moon sent a letter Wednesday and vowed to continue trying to lay the groundwork for reunification based on joint declarations reached at the 2018 summits, despite the “difficult situation”, the North’s official agency KCNA reported.
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Moon’s office confirmed that he had exchanged “letters of friendship” with Kim.
In his letter, Moon said the “era of confrontation” must be overcome through dialogue and that inter-Korean engagement is now the task of the next administration, Pak Kyung-mi’s spokesman told a briefing. Moon also expressed hope for a speedy resumption of denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea.
Kim said in a response Thursday that their “historic” summits give people “hope for the future” and the two agreed that ties would develop if both sides “work tirelessly with hope”, KCNA reported.
“Kim Jong Un praised Moon Jae-in’s pain and efforts for the nation’s great cause until the last days of his term,” KCNA said, adding that the exchange of letters was an expression of their deep trust. “
The exchange came when US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim was in Seoul for talks this week with South Korean officials. Sung Kim said he was ready to sit with the North at any time without preconditions, but it was unclear whether Moon’s letter explicitly offered a meeting. Read more
Moon pledged his legacy to improve inter-Korean ties and helped organize unprecedented meetings between Kim Jong Un and then-US President Donald Trump in 2018 and 2019.
The three summits held by Kim and Moon in 2018 promised peace and reconciliation, but relations have deteriorated in recent years, with the North warning of destructive actions and the demolition of facilities built by South Korean companies for joint economic projects. Read more
The two leaders briefly tried to improve relations last year through a number of exchanges of letters, but little progress has been made as Pyongyang criticizes Seoul’s “double standards” in weapons development. Read more
Kim’s comments leave open the possibility of Moon playing the role of envoy after he leaves office, but some analysts have said the letters may not be just good news.
“I can’t say I know of Kim’s personal intentions in sending the letter, but I don’t think it will have a positive effect on Moon’s reputation,” said Christopher Green, a Korean specialist at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
President-elect Yun Suk-yol takes office on May 10. He said he was open to dialogue with the North, but that greater military deterrence and closer ties with the United States were needed to counter Pyongyang’s provocations.
Tensions have risen sharply since North Korea conducted its first full ICBM test in 2017 last month, and there are fears that Pyongyang is preparing to restart nuclear tests. Read more
South Korean and US troops began annual joint military exercises this week, and North Korea routinely denounced such exercises as rehearsals for war. Read more
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Report by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reports by Josh Smith; Edited by Stephen Coates and Gary Doyle
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