What’s behind sudden thaw as North, South Korea exchange warm words?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong (second right) plants a tree in Pyongyang on March 14.

Photo by KCNA/AFP The latest indirect exchange of comments between North and South Korea has raised hopes of easing tensions on the Korean peninsula even as conflict roils other parts of the globe.

Hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone incursions into the North on Monday, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a warm statement.

The powerful politician welcomed Lee’s remarks as “extremely fortunate and a wise move”, citing her brother as praising Lee’s attitude as “frank and broad-minded”.

At a cabinet meeting on Monday, Lee expressed regret over the drone flights, which Seoul attributed to individuals, saying such “provocative” acts had unnecessarily heightened military tensions with Pyongyang. “The rapidly shifting global landscape requires responsible actions by both sides to ensure peace on the Korean peninsula,” he said.

South Korea President Lee Jae Myung attends a cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on Monday.

Photo: Yonhap/EPA Kim Yo-jong swiftly responded, saying: “Our head of state assessed it as demonstrating the attitude of a frank and broad-minded person.” However, she added that Seoul should not stop at peace rhetoric but must cease “all reckless provocative acts”.

She also drew a firm line against any possibility of resuming dialogue, saying: “Abandon any attempts at contact.” “[South Korea] must once again bear in mind that if provocative incidents infringing upon our nation’s inviolable sovereignty recur, they would have to pay an unbearable price, as previously warned,” she warned.

Seoul’s presidential office said it “hopes the swift inter-Korean exchange of views will contribute to peace on the Korean peninsula”, adding that the government would “continue to work towards peaceful coexistence”.

Since taking office in June last year, Lee has repeatedly reached out to Pyongyang to resume dialogue, only to be rebuffed.

Kim Jong-un labelled the South the “most hostile, permanent enemy” at a party congress in February.

Observers say this rare exchange of messages – albeit indirect – was a positive sign.

Pyongyang’s quick response indicated it was closely monitoring developments on its arch rival despite its stated policy of severing ties, said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies. “North Korea is apparently concerned

原文链接: 南华早报