North Korea’s Rush to Spotlight Kim’s Daughter Reveals Succession Plans, Minister Says

North Korea’s Succession Challenges
Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Comes into the Spotlight

South Korea’s Minister of Unification, Kim Yeon Ho, stated that North Korea’s continued promotion of Kim Jong Un’s daughter is evidence of their rush to demonstrate the will for succession amidst difficulties.

During a press conference in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on the 6th, Minister Kim remarked, “There are ongoing indications of various challenges facing the North Korean authorities.” He also pointed out that the persistent closure of embassies, crucial for diplomatic engagements, underscores North Korea’s struggles in diplomacy and finance.

Furthermore, he observed that North Korea’s recent activities, including the re-establishment of the Guard Post (GP) in the demilitarized zone and the arming of Panmunjom following the launch of a spy satellite, appear to be strategic moves aimed at diverting attention from internal challenges. He suggested that by escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea might be seeking to externalize its domestic difficulties.” He expressed regret over North Korea’s unreasonable claims about our self-defensive measures and urged them to stop additional tension-creating activities.

Managing the Korean Peninsula Situation

Minister Kim advised a shift in policy focus as North Korea gears up for the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party scheduled for the year’s end. He suggested that North Korea should shift from military-centric politics to prioritizing the welfare of its citizens. “North Korea must acknowledge the impracticality of chasing dual goals in military and economic sectors simultaneously and make a decisive turn towards economic and livelihood issues,” he stated. Minister Kim further elaborated that the government will maintain stable management of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and encourage North Korea to take a more constructive path. At the same time, there are plans to create an environment that would facilitate humanitarian aid to North Korea.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification plans to spread the unification discourse next year, which marks the 30th anniversary of adopting the Korean National Community Unification Plan. Minister Kim emphasized, “The beginning is to ensure that unification improves our daily lives without excessive worries or prejudices about unification. We will actively practice preparing for unification with the public so that people can feel the unification policy in their daily lives.”

By. Koo Chae Eun