Minister Kim Yung Ho’s statement on Kim Ju Ae’s potential role in North Korea
Discussing the implications of promoting Kim Ju Ae
On the 12th, Minister of Unification Kim Yung Ho addressed the possibility of Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, ascending to power. He stated that North Korea’s early promotion of Kim Ju Ae to showcase a fourth-generation succession implies that the country is facing difficulties.
Minister Kim made these remarks at a meeting with the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. He said, “The victims of the fourth-generation succession can only be the residents of North Korea.” He added, “Even though North Korea has Confucian traditions and a preference for male heirs, we must reconsider how much influence that will have on the decision of power succession in North Korea. It is difficult to see North Korea as a society dominated by Confucian traditions.”
In response to a question about the possibility of Kim Jong Un having a son, Minister Kim said, “At this point, all I can say is that the government is looking into that matter.”
Call for a Shift in China and Russia’s Stance
Regarding the Chinese government’s forced repatriation of North Korean defectors, he said, “The Chinese government is forcibly repatriating defectors because they came for economic reasons, but they could suffer severe human rights abuses if they return to North Korea.” He urged, “The Chinese government must comply with international norms prohibiting forced repatriation.”
Speaking about North Korea’s decision to abandon the 9·19 South-North Military Agreement, he pointed out that North Korea is intensifying tensions by entirely disregarding the agreement, reconstructing the Guard Post (GP), and rearming the Joint Security Area (JSA). He asserted that the government would take a strong stance against these actions that escalate tensions. Additionally, he called for a shift in the stance of China and Russia, noting their passive approach toward imposing additional sanctions on North Korea. Minister Kim emphasized that China should be more constructive in fostering peace in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.
Minister Kim further commented that if China refrains from exerting diplomatic pressure on Korea, similar to the retaliation over the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system, and maintains mutual respect, there should be no reason for the relationship between Korea and China to deteriorate. He also addressed the issue of North Korean workers being sent to Russia, underscoring Russia’s responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to implement the Security Council’s sanction resolutions diligently.
By. Chae Eun Koo
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