North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported that North Korean leaders Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-in exchanged personal letters this week. This file photo shows the two leaders at the conclusion of the inter-Korean summit in 2018.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reply to a personal letter from the outgoing President of Korea Moon Jae-in This week, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported.
According to KCNA, Mr. Moon said he wanted the two sides to make joint statements as “the foundation for unification” even if he steps down as president. Kim “appreciated the difficulties and efforts achieved” by Moon, the report said.
“The personal exchange of letters between the top leaders of the North and the South is a display of their deep trust,” KCNA said.
Moon’s spokesman said the president asked Kim to remain committed to cooperation and that dialogue should transcend the “era of confrontation”. Reuters reported.
News comes later The reclusive North Korea conducted another missile test, and a few weeks before the inauguration of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on May 10.
Relations between the two sides initially warmed under Moon, who held three summits with Kim in 2018. But relations deteriorated markedly and North Korea threatened military action. It also blow up the joint liaison office with South Korea in 2020.
However, the letters between Moon and Kim do not represent a shift to diplomacy, according to Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. He noted that North Korea had planned military displays.
However, he said that friendly communication between the two sides was “a reminder that inter-Korean relations are not strictly confrontational and should include dialogue.”
