What Did Kim’s Sister Say?
In a statement issued to state-run media, Kim Yo-jong, who is considered to be a powerful member of her brother’s regime, said Trump’s decision to scale back the joint military drill with South Korea did not change their “provocative and aggressive nature.” She noted that the regime has “no interest whatsoever” in this overture made by the American president. On Trump’s comments that he had received a “very positive” response from North Korea on his push for talks, Kim said she was “unaware” of any recent talks between the two countries’ leaders. Despite this, she acknowledged that her brother had “good memories and feelings” about meeting with Trump in the past and said the relationship between the two remained “excellent.” Kim, however, noted that: “Regardless of the excellent relationship between the leaders of North Korea and the U.S., the sovereign measures we are taking to deter the forces threatening our national security are completely reasonable, appropriate and necessary.”
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what do we know about Trump’s overture?
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump expressed unhappiness with the U.S. military’s participation in joint exercises with South Korea. Touting his “very good relationship with Kim Jong Un,” Trump complained about the high costs of these exercises and echoed Pyongyang’s argument that the drills were sending a “totally inappropriate and hostile,” signal. Trump also claimed North Korea has been “unthreatening and respectful” to the U.S. during his presidency. Noting that it was too late scrap the drills entirely, the president said he had ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” them.
Tangent
South Korea’s defense minister provided a different assessment of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers in Seoul that the South Korean government believes the North has between 80 to 120 warheads, adding that an exact count is difficult. This is much higher than the 57 war heads number flagged by Trump.
further reading
North Korea Denounces U.S.-South Korea Military Drill—Ignoring Trump’s Overtures To Kim (Forbes)
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Trump Scales Back Korea Military Drill Touting ‘Good Relationship’ With Kim Jong Un—Seoul Responds (Forbes)
‘No Interest’: North Korea Dismisses Reduced U.S. Drills With South Korea (New York Times)
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