US EditionNorth Korea's Kim Yo Jong Says South's Hopes for Better Relations Are an Illusion
Kim Yo Jong demands an apology and a pledge to prevent future drone incursions after labeling South Korea's hopes to repair relations as an illusion, following drone incidents last weekend.
- On January 14, 2026, Kim Yo Jong, director of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party and sister of Kim Jong Un, rejected Seoul's outreach, saying hopes of repaired ties are illusory and demanding apology and assurances after drone incidents.
- On Saturday, Pyongyang reported and published photos of drone wreckage near Kaesong City, while Seoul's investigation found its military does not use the pictured drone models, suggesting civilian launches.
- Kim Yo Jong escalated the rhetoric, accusing Seoul of a `grave provocation` by infringing North Korea's sovereignty and criticised President Lee Jae Myung's meeting with Sanae Takaichi, saying talks `have already gone wrong`.
- Officials in Seoul say the exchange complicates diplomatic outreach pursued by the Lee administration, as South Korea's Unification Ministry saw a sign of potential communication while President Lee called the incident a serious crime threatening peninsula security.
- The dispute has stalled the Lee administration's efforts to restore ties with Pyongyang, undercutting President Lee Jae Myung's push while Seoul stays on high alert for Kim Yo Jong's response.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Pyongyang accused the South of having sent a drone to the North in early January, causing the lira of Kim Yo-jong, the very influential sister of the North Korean leader
Kim Yo Jong Dashes Seoul’s Hopes, Calls Improved Inter-Korean Ties an ‘Illusion’
Relations between North and South Korea have remained deeply strained in recent years amid missile tests, military drills, and diplomatic deadlock. A brief flicker of optimism emerged after Kim Yo Jong North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s influential sister responded less aggressively than usual to reports that South Korean drones had entered North Korean airspace. […] The post Kim Yo Jong Dashes Seoul’s Hopes, Calls Improved Inter-Korean Ties an ‘…
N. Korean leader's sister says Seoul's hopes for better ties a 'pipe dream'
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister on Tuesday dismissed hopes for improved relations with Seoul as a “pipe dream“, and demanded an apology over an alleged drone incursion from the South.
North Korea's Kim Yo Jong says South's hopes for better relations are an illusion
North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said on Tuesday South Korea's hope for an improvement in relations is an illusion that cannot be realised, state media KCNA reported.
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- 38% of the sources lean Left, 37% of the sources are Center
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