Kim Yo-jong, vice director of the North Korean Labor Party, criticized, mentioning President Lee Jae-myung by name, saying, "Korea cannot be a diplomatic counterpart to our country."
On the 19th, Kim held a meeting with key Directors General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conveyed the foreign policy outline of Chairman Kim Jong-un, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency on the 20th.
He stated, "It is clear that since the Lee Jae-myung administration took office, there are efforts to show that something has changed for the 'improvement' of the South-North relations, and this can be recognized as a 'serious effort.' However, no matter how much the foul-smelling true intent of confrontation is wrapped in the gift of peace, one cannot hide the awl in the sack."
He mentioned the statement made by President Lee Jae-myung during the opening remarks of the Ulsan National Security Council on the 18th, which stated, "If small actions accumulate like pebbles, mutual trust will be restored," and added, "If we evaluate that plan, each clause is a delusion and a daydream."
He emphasized, "We are people who have witnessed and experienced, with annoyance, the dirty political system of Korea for decades, including the process of the regime change from Moon Jae-in to Yoon Suk-yeol," and concluded, "Whether labeled as 'conservative' or wearing the mantle of 'democracy,' Korea's confrontational ambitions towards our republic have been inherited unchanged."
He said, "Lee Jae-myung is not a person who can change the course of this history."
Kim also specifically criticized the naming of Minister of Unification Jeong Dong-young, Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jong-hyun. He questioned the responses given by Ministers Ahn and Park during their confirmation hearings when they stated, "We consider the North Korean regime and North Korean military to be our enemies."
He also criticized the joint military drill Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) that began on the 18th as an "invasion war exercise."
In particular, he pointed out that it's important to note the fact that while pretending to extend a hand of reconciliation, this joint military exercise has again initiated plans to "eliminate" our nuclear and missile capabilities in advance and expand attacks into our republic through the new combined operation plan ('OPlan 5022').
Kim clearly expressed his intention to focus on diplomatic battles with Korea on the international stage.
He directed that, "In Korea, there will be no even a minor role in the regional diplomatic stage that revolves around our country, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should seek a precise response plan regarding relations with the most hostile countries and those that heed their agitation based on the conclusion of our national leader that points out the realities of Korea."