Inter-Korean Ties Unlikely to Improve, Says N. Korea

(MENAFN) A top North Korean official signaled Tuesday that relations with South Korea are unlikely to improve, according to state-run media.

Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, criticized a statement from the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of Unification, saying their interpretation of her remarks about potential "communication" and "detente" was off the mark. "They have gone 'wrong in their expectation,'" she said.

Kim added that hopes for renewed ties are unrealistic. "As far as 'Seoul's various hope-filled wild dreams called 'repair of DPRK-ROK relations' are concerned,' they can never all come true," she stated.

The official also condemned recent actions by Seoul, claiming the South had "committed a grave provocation by infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK." She urged the authorities in Seoul to "admit and apologize" and take steps to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Tensions have escalated following multiple drone incidents. A spokesperson for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army said on Friday that the ROK had again flown drones into North Korean airspace at the start of the new year, following a similar intrusion over Pyongyang in October 2024.

Kim previously demanded accountability in a statement carried by stated-run media on Saturday, insisting South Korea provide a "detailed explanation" regarding a drone that crossed into DPRK airspace.

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