Kim Jong Un Meets High-Level ROK Delegation

KJU’s last observed appearance was his visit to Ku’msusan on February 16

Kim Jong Un [Kim Cho’ng-u’n] met and dined with a high-level delegation from the ROK on the evening [KST] of March 5 [Monday].  Also in attendance were Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Vice Chairman and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yong Chol [Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l], Personal Secretariat and Senior WPK Central Committee Department Deputy Director Kim Yo Jong [Kim Yo’-cho’ng] and Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country [formerly known as the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland] Ri Son Gwon [Ri So’n-kwon].  Attending from the ROK were Ch’o’ngwade Security Security Chung Eui-yong [Cho’ng U’i-yo’ng], National Intelligence Service [NIS] Director So Hun [So’ Hun], Vice Minister of Unification Chon Hae Song [Chon Hae-so’ng], NIS Deputy Director Kim Sang Gyun [Kim Sang-kyun] and Ch’o’ngwadae State Affairs Situation Office Yun Kon Yong [Yun Kon-yo’ng].

Jong Un shook hands with the members of the ROK delegation and “warmly welcomed them on their visit to Pyongyang.”  Chung Eui-yong “courteously handed over the personal letter” of ROK President Moon Jae-in.  The ROK delegation “thanked” Kim Jong Un “for dispatching the high-level delegation and various large-scale delegations with the 23rd Winter Olympics as a momentum so that they were held successfully.”  Jong Un thanked the ROK delegation and said that “it is natural to be glad at the auspicious event of the fellow countrymen of the same blood and help it.  The Winter Olympics served as a very important occasion in demonstrating the stamina and prestige of our nation at home and abroad and providing a good atmosphere of reconciliation, unity and dialogue between the North and South.”

Kim Jong Un “had an openhearted talk with the party of special envoy delegation of the south side over the issues arising in actively improving the north-south relations and ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”  Jong Un “repeatedly clarified that it is the DPRK’s consistent and principled stand and his firm will to vigorously advance the North-South relations and write a new history of national reunification by the concerted efforts of our nation to be proud of in the world.”  The ROK delegation talked about President Moon’s “intention” for “a summit” and Kim Jong Un “exchanged views and made a satisfactory agreement.”

Jong Un issued “an important instruction to the” UFD “to rapidly take practical steps for it.”  He also had an “exchange of in-depth views on the issues of easing the acute military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and activating the versatile dialogue, contact, cooperation and exchange.”  According to DPRK state media reporting the “conversation between the Suryo’ng and the delegation of the special envoy of President Moon Jae In took place in a compatriotic and sincere atmosphere.”

After the meeting, Jong Un posed for commemorative photos with the ROK delegation.  Then, along with his wife Ri Sol Ju [Ri So’l-chu] and other senior DPRK officials, he hosted a dinner for President Moon’s representatives.