The Presidential Office has revealed that it sent a warning message to Russia not to cross a line ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea this week. In response to criticism about the strong against strong stance regarding our military’s resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts against North Korean provocations, the office refuted, “We should first point out North Korea’s wrongdoings. Otherwise, North Korea’s understanding will become increasingly distorted.”
According to political circles on the 16th, Chang Ho Jin, the Director of the National Security Office, said in an interview with Yonhap News TV the day before, regarding Putin’s visit to North Korea, “We have warned Russia not to cross a certain line,” and “We will thoroughly analyze the results of Putin’s visit to North Korea, whether it ends with a figure of speech or has substance, and respond clearly while closely cooperating with the international community.”
Chang assessed, “It is not that North Korea’s strategic value has increased, but North Korea has risen due to situational mutual interests,” and “It can only be seen as proof that Russia is regrettable due to the Ukraine war.” He emphasized, “Russia should think about which side, North Korea or South Korea, is more important and necessary after the Ukraine war ends.”
Chang looked down on the possibility of cooperation between North Korea, China, and Russia. He explained, “The interests between China and Russia are very different,” and “The fact that the South Korea-China Diplomatic Security Dialogue is being held at the point where Putin’s visit to North Korea is mentioned itself is proof that the recent situation is not a union interest of North Korea, China, and Russia.”
He also issued a stern warning to North Korea over its provocative actions. Chang emphasized to North Korea, “If you continue to engage in reprehensible and vile acts like launching trash balloons, we will be forced to take severe measures that you will find difficult to endure.” He added, “I hope North Korea refrains from actions that would embarrass its citizens if they were aware.” Regarding criticisms from the opposition about the government resuming loudspeaker broadcasts into North Korea, he noted, “North Korea has engaged in activities like deploying reconnaissance satellites, launching missiles, disrupting GPS, and sending trash balloons, leading us to invalidate the 9/19 Comprehensive Military Agreement and resume loudspeaker broadcasts defensively.” He argued that equating these actions is not appropriate.
Regarding the recent incident where North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on the 9th and subsequently retreated, he stated that it appears to be a straightforward border-crossing event. However, he emphasized the continuous state of readiness for potential provocations. He further noted that North Korea has been actively restoring tactical roads and laying mines in the demilitarized zone. These activities are being closely monitored, especially considering the recent remarks by Chairman Kim Jong Un about the isolation between South Korea and North Korea.
Regarding the rumor of North Korea’s barrier installation, he explained, “What has been identified so far is closer to an anti-tank obstacle-like wall than a barrier, and the length is very short.” He added, “After observing the construction progress, it would be better to judge whether there is a connection with the wall or isolation against South Korea.”
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