North Korea criticized the South Korea-Japan summit, calling it "a diplomatic farce created by Seoul's anxiety to alleviate Washington's 'misunderstanding.'"
Korea Central News Agency reported on the 25th, conveying an article written under the pseudonym Kim Hyuk-nam titled "The disgrace of the Seoul rulers stepping out as a precursor to the realization of trilateral military cooperation," and stated that the agreement between the South Korean and Japanese leaders to strengthen cooperation with the United States was "a courting message to the soon-to-be White House occupant."
The article unusually criticized President Lee Jae-myung by name for choosing Japan as the first summit country after taking office instead of the United States, dismissing it as "pro-Japanese conduct."
The article noted, "It is well known that Lee Jae-myung, during his time as opposition leader, received cold stares from Japan and faced the United States' disdain and pressure due to the anti-Japanese narrative he used to attract public sentiment."
It also evaluated, "The background of this Tokyo visit, seemingly disregarding the tradition of pro-U.S. subservience, is intertwined with the United States' distrust of the current ruler and the resulting turmoil of the subordinate."
It further pointed out, "In an effort to avoid potential diplomatic disasters during a White House visit, this has led to a voluntary pro-Japanese verification journey, and the problem is that this Seoul ruler's excessive desire to actively prove a pro-Japanese doctrine will further heighten regional security crises."
The article noted that the South Korea-Japan summit "shone a glaring light on the ugly confrontational posture of the Korean ruler, trading peace and security in the Korean Peninsula and the region as a transaction for becoming favorable in the eyes of the U.S. master through aggressive North American trilateral military cooperation realization."
It warned, "We will absolutely not stand by while these concerning situations are occurring due to hegemonic-oriented Americans and their followers."
North Korea focused its criticism on South Korea following the South Korea-Japan summit results, but it appears to have regulated the level of criticism by adopting the format of a contribution under a personal name rather than an official statement or dialogue.