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The North Korean Central News Agency broadcast footage on Mar. 6 of Kim Jong-un reading a letter that had been written to him by President Moon Jae-in. Kim read the letter

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that he “understands” the joint South Korea-US military exercises that are scheduled to be held in April, the Blue House reported. This represents a departure from the hardline stance that the North has often taken toward the exercises, which it denounces as “nuclear war games.” Kim’s remarks appear to mean that he will not let these yearly exercises spoil the mood for dialogue.

During a briefing at the Blue House press center on the evening of Mar. 6, Blue House National Security Office director Chung Eui-yong, who had just led a special delegation on a trip to Pyongyang, described the conversation he had with Kim about the South Korea-US military exercises, which were delayed for the duration of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

When Chung said during his meeting with Kim that “our exercises with the US are a yearly event and are defensive in nature,” Kim reportedly said that “I understand why the South Korea-US exercises have to be held on the same scale as in previous years. When the situation on the Korean Peninsula is stabilized, I hope that the South Korea-US exercises can be adjusted.”

“I explained [to North Korea] that it was not feasible to abruptly halt our exercises with the US. Kim Jong-un had already been briefed and was aware of our position. I didn’t need to provide any further explanation,” Chung added. This suggests that Kim is fully aware that the South Korea-US exercises cannot be halted or delayed again.

“It’s a bold statement by Kim to say he understands why the South Korea-US military exercises have to held on the scale of previous years. He has made up his mind to build momentum for dialogue and increase the possibility of talks with the US,” said Jeong Se-hyun, a former Minister of Unification.

This flexible stance – the willingness to tackle the military threat in the long run – has bought the South Korean government a little more time for shifting affairs on the Korean Peninsula toward dialogue, Jeong said.

By Noh Ji-won, staff reporter

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