North Korea rejects Seoul’s offer of help in exchange for denuclearization

Kim Yo Jong, the highly influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, flatly rejected on Friday, August 19, the South Korean government’s offer of economic assistance.

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol this week offered North Korea a support package that includes food and energy aid, as well as funding for infrastructure upgrades if it abandons its nuclear weapons program.

Analysts said the chances of Pyongyang accepting the offer, which Yun first made in May during his opening speech, were slim, as North Korea has long said it would not accept such a compromise. This offer is ‘peak absurdity’replied Kim Yo Jong on Friday.

“simple and childlike”

When you think the ‘economic cooperation’ trade plan for our honor, [nos] Nuclear weapons, Yoon’s big dream, hope and plan, we realize it’s really simple and still childishShe said, quoted by the official North Korean News Agency. Obviously we are not going to sit in front of him. »

The Presidential Office of South Korea expressed this ‘Deep regret’ In the face of statements “disregard” from Kim Yo-jong, but added that the offer of economic assistance remains. “Such a stance on the part of North Korea does not contribute to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula nor to its future. It is only promoting its isolation on the international stage.said the office.

North Korea has conducted a record series of weapons tests this year, including the launch of an ICBM, which has not happened since 2017. Officials in Washington and South Korea have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang is preparing to resume its nuclear tests.