Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s politically powerful sister, today reiterated Pyongyang’s hardline position toward Seoul by declaring South Korea an enemy state and that North Korea will not engage in talks or official dialogue with South Korea no matter the proposals offered, according to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports. She further declared that no negotiations or official dialogue will take place regardless of South Korean proposals made at Ground News/Reuters/Polito +5.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered her comments as the official response of North Korea to new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s outreach initiatives since taking office early June, including suspending loudspeaker propaganda across borders and banning leaflet campaigns, moves that Pyongyang has cautiously welcomed (Gazeta Express +3 Reuters +3
Politico).
Kim Yo Jong rejected South Korea’s overtures as meaningless, citing their continued alliance with the U.S.-South Korea military alliance as evidence that fundamental hostility remains unchanged. She warned Seoul there was “neither an issue nor any reason to meet [South Korea].” Wikipedia (includes 7 references), Reuters (7 references) and Politico (+7 sources) for her views.
She stressed that North Korea perceives South Korean policies and actions as no different from previous conservative governments despite symbolic policy reversals, despite symbolic policy shifts. She cast Seoul’s actions as insufficient and insincere while asserting that North Korea has no interest in engaging in dialogue of any form (Reuters +2).
Historical Context: From Dialogue to Hostility
This rhetoric reflects a wider strategic shift, one which was solidified in early 2024 when Kim Jong Un led constitutional amendments officially declaring South Korea an enemy state and abandoning any attempts for peaceful unification with Pyongyang. Pyongyang then dismantled inter-Korean liaison structures as well as cultural and infrastructure ties in order to strengthen ideological isolationism within North Korea (Wikipedia +5)
Analysts note that Kim Yo Jong’s statement chimes with longer-term trends; in recent years she has led aggressive propaganda campaigns against South Korea, opposed joint military exercises and overseen the destruction of cooperative symbols such as interKorean liaison offices (Wikipedia).
South Korea Resolutely Pursues Diplomacy In spite of North Korea’s rejection, South Korea’s Unification Ministry is determined to continue diplomacy efforts despite entrenched mistrust between them. Officials stress Seoul’s willingness for constructive dialogue and cooperation even amid entrenched mistrust, as Reuters/AP News’ coverage shows.
As internal political shifts take place, President Lee remains dedicated to improving relations, positioning his administration as distinct from its predecessors, yet remains dependent on U.S. alliance as the cornerstone of national security in light of ongoing trade talks and negotiations (Reuters +1).
Strategic Implications
Kim Yo Jong’s unwavering opposition to dialogue raises grave concerns over its potential escalation. Her comments–amplifed through state media outlets and official confirmation–indicate her refusal even on modest terms to consider diplomatic rapprochement or confidence building measures.
As these remarks point out, these remarks signal potential tension in regional stability. With North Korea deepening its alliance with Russia and sharing military cooperation amid Ukraine turmoil, geopolitical stakes for Northeast Asia appear to be rising; per Wikipedia +5 Politico +5
Reuters +5 AP News.
Kim Yo Jong’s statement that South Korea remains an enemy with “no interest” in dialogue reflects a hardened Pyongyang approach that sees diplomatic overtures from Seoul as inadequate and insincere; further signaling deep distrust over what North Korea perceives to be its alignment with Washington. Now for Seoul’s continued outreach efforts must gradually break through this wall of hostility or remain trapped behind ideological rigidity that never allows compromises to take place.