North Korea looks set to reach out to its southern neighbor this year, after leader Kim Jong-un promised in his New Year’s Day speech to push for more inter-Korean dialogue.
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Despite the threats to adversaries in his Friday address to the nation the leader also said he will actively look for peace in the Korean Peninsula.
Tensions were inflamed once again in August 2015 after South Korea blamed Pyongyang for planting landmines in a military outpost in the Demilitarized Zone, a buffer separating the two Korean armies, maiming two soldiers. The spy agency, which has a mixed record on tracking North Korea, said Wednesday it was trying to check details about Choe. But he also said that North Korea should continue to build up its military capability by producing various striking means.
On Thursday, North Korea’s state television showed still photos of Kim Jong Un at the wake of Kim Yang Gon.
According to the Swiss non-profit International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons, North Korea is one of only eight countries in the world with nuclear weapons.
During those meetings, North Korean representatives insisted on discussing only the resumption of the Kumgangsan tourist venture, a special region in North Korea for South Korean tourists, which has been a cash cow for the regime.
Last year, Kim called for a “big shift” in inter-Korean relations in his New Year’s message, saying that he is willing to hold summit talks with President Park Geun-hye if conditions are met.
Later, Kim Jong Un, the grandson of the founding father and leader of this communist country, appeared on giant TV screens to deliver his annual New Year speech.
Another analyst told CNN that a “suspicious” number of high-ranking North Korean officials have met their end in vehicle accidents. The addition of eyeglasses gave Mr. Kim a closer resemblance to his grandfather and North Korea’s first ruler, Kim Il Sung, who is still widely respected by many North Koreans.
“North Korea should take note that we are seeking to develop inter-Korean relations and lay the groundwork for peaceful unification”, an unidentified government official said. Earlier this month, the rival Koreas ended rare high-level talks without any agreement.
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During the congress, to be held for the first time since 1980, the North Korean leader is widely expected to unveil new policies and a fresh lineup of senior officials.
