Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Pyongyang’s main voice on inter-Korean relations, denounced the “Washington Declaration” and “Nuclear Consultative Group,” two main initiatives that were introduced during the South Korea-U.S. summit meeting on April 26.
Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea and Joe Biden of the United States jointly announced the Washington Declaration following their summit meeting last week. On the occasion of the alliance’s 70th anniversary, the United States reaffirmed its strong defense commitment to South Korea and promised to strengthen extended deterrence against North Korea’s security concerns. The United States will frequently deploy strategic (nuclear-capable) assets to South Korea as part of this.
In return, Yoon demonstrated his complete faith in U.S. extended deterrence and reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to upholding the Nonproliferation Treaty, thereby ruling out his nation’s desire for nuclear weapons. The bond, according to the two leaders, is unbreakable and unparalleled in strength.
One by one, Kim Yo Jong attacked the conclusions and statements made during the South Korea-US summit meeting.
In addition, Kim forewarned about Pyongyang’s “after-storm” response to Biden’s bellicose comments while simultaneously describing it as a chance to remind them what to do going forward.
Yoon and Biden briefly underlined that there are currently no conditions on engaging in discussion with North Korea. However, given the escalating arms race on the Korean Peninsula, it is unclear how they intend to resume diplomacy and dialogue with North Korea.