Speculation abounds over content of Kim Jong-un’s letter to President Moon

Posted on : 2018-02-12 17:11 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
This was the first time that the North Korean leader has sent personal correspondence to the South Korean head of state
 with Kim Jong-un’s letter to Moon placed in front of her on the table. (Blue House Photo Pool)  
with Kim Jong-un’s letter to Moon placed in front of her on the table. (Blue House Photo Pool)  

What was in the personal letter signed by “Kim Jong-un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” and delivered to South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Feb. 10 by Kim Yo-jong, first vice director of the central committee of the North Korean Workers' Party (KWP)?

The Blue House did not provide any detailed information about the content of the personal letter, remarking that “it was only opened by President Moon.”

“It was probably much the same as the verbal message delivered by Kim Yo-jong. It may have expressed Kim Jong-un’s hope for the success of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, his determination to improve inter-Korean relations and his support for relaxing military tensions for the sake of peace on the Korean Peninsula,” said Kim Yong-hyun, professor at Dongguk University, on Feb. 11.

“It may have contained what was necessary for cooperation with the US, including [a halt to] the South Korea-US joint military exercises,” suggested former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun.

Another notable aspect of Kim’s personal letter is the title attached to it: “chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.” Kim has three official titles: chairman of the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP), chairman of the State Affairs Commission and marshal of the Korean People’s Army. Kim appears to have chosen the title of chairman of the State Affairs Commission – representing not the party or the army but the government – to observe the appropriate protocol since the letter’s recipient, President Moon, is the head of the South Korean government.

Kim Yo-jong waits prior to meeting President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House on Feb. 10
Kim Yo-jong waits prior to meeting President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House on Feb. 10

During the fourth session of the 13th Supreme People’s Assembly in June 2016, North Korea amended its constitution by abolishing the National Defense Commission and establishing the State Affairs Commission, a government body designed to discuss and decide important state policies.

This was the first time that Kim sent a personal letter to the South Korean president. In Dec. 2014, he sent a personal letter to Lee Hee-ho, widow of former President Kim Dae-jung, and Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun to thank them for honoring the third anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-il and to invite them to visit Pyongyang. In 1985, North Korean founder Kim Il-sung had his secretary send a personal letter exploring the idea of a summit to then-South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan, and in 2000 previous North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had a special envoy deliver a verbal message to then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.

 

By Noh Ji-won, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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