Seoul:Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has once again dismissed responsibility for the recent mine explosion within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and criticized South Korea's initiatives to lessen tensions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong reiterated her denial of the South Korean military's claims, which held the North accountable for the incident that injured three South Korean soldiers. She made her remarks in a statement through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), mocking Seoul's appeal for an apology and a halt to border fortifications.
Kim Yo-jong stated that North Korea aims to sever ties with South Korea permanently, indicating that even wild animals would be unable to cross the border. Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to continue seeking practical measures to ease military tensions between the two Koreas despite the ongoing discord over the blast.
President Lee emphasized the necessity for both Koreas to find mutual benefits and establish trust for peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, Kim Yo-jong dismissed his statements as a "farce" deserving of a "citation" for those involved.
In response, South Korea's unification ministry reiterated its position of not harboring hostility towards the North. The ministry called for the cessation of unproductive verbal conflicts and encouraged direct dialogue between the two Koreas to prevent future incidents and reduce tensions.
Additionally, Kim Yo-jong rejected a proposal from Unification Minister Chung Dong-young to discuss the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), labeling it as a "delusional, one-sided rant." She asserted that North Korea establishes its borders through its sovereignty, implying the use of force rather than negotiation.