Turning Up the Volume: Kim’s Powerful Sister Opposes Talks with the South and the U.S.
Kim Yo Jong denies claims that North Korea removed border loudspeakers, mocks Seoul’s hopes for renewed diplomacy, and vows to intensify propaganda broadcasts while rejecting dialogue with Washington and Seoul.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader, on Thursday dismissed South Korean claims that Pyongyang had removed some of its border loudspeakers, ridiculing Seoul for clinging to hopes of reviving diplomacy between the war-divided rivals.
The South Korean military said over the weekend it had observed North Korean soldiers dismantling some loudspeakers along the border, days after the South removed its own propaganda speakers in a bid to ease tensions.
The leader’s sister, seen as a hardline voice in the regime and reported to be gaining increasing authority alongside Kim Jong Un, reiterated Pyongyang’s previous statements that it has no immediate interest in resuming negotiations with Washington or Seoul.
She pointed to a recent joint military drill by the allies as proof of their continuing hostility toward Pyongyang.
Kim emphasized that not only would the North refuse to remove its border loudspeakers, but she intended to raise their volume.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not specify where it had observed the North dismantling some of its speakers.
North Korean loudspeakers visible from southern civilian areas near the border were still seen by AP photographers after the military’s announcement.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, South Korea’s new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, described the North’s reported steps as a “reciprocal measure” and expressed hope that the Koreas could “gradually reopen dialogue and communication.”
Kim accused Lee’s government of misleading the public, stating that North Koreans “never removed loudspeakers installed along the border and are not prepared to remove them.” The South’s government and military did not immediately respond to Kim’s remarks, which were carried by state media.
Beyond the loudspeaker dispute, Kim also rejected South Korean media speculation that the North might use this week’s planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to send a message to Washington through Moscow.
“Why would we send a message to the American side?” she asked, adding that the North has no interest in talks with the United States.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, North Korea has made Russia a priority in its foreign policy, sending thousands of troops and large quantities of military supplies—including artillery and missiles—to help fuel Moscow’s war effort.
North Korean and Russian state media said Wednesday that Kim Jong Un and Putin had held a phone call to discuss their deepening ties and the war against Ukraine.
Russia’s TASS news agency reported that Putin also shared details of his upcoming talks with Trump in Alaska on Friday, though North Korean reports made no mention of the Trump meeting.
In July, Kim Yo Jong had already issued statements rejecting Washington and Seoul’s stated desire to revive diplomacy aimed at denuclearizing the North, a process that collapsed in 2019 following a failed summit with Trump during his first term.
The South Korean military said over the weekend it had observed North Korean soldiers dismantling some loudspeakers along the border, days after the South removed its own propaganda speakers in a bid to ease tensions.
The leader’s sister, seen as a hardline voice in the regime and reported to be gaining increasing authority alongside Kim Jong Un, reiterated Pyongyang’s previous statements that it has no immediate interest in resuming negotiations with Washington or Seoul.
She pointed to a recent joint military drill by the allies as proof of their continuing hostility toward Pyongyang.
Kim emphasized that not only would the North refuse to remove its border loudspeakers, but she intended to raise their volume.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not specify where it had observed the North dismantling some of its speakers.
North Korean loudspeakers visible from southern civilian areas near the border were still seen by AP photographers after the military’s announcement.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, South Korea’s new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, described the North’s reported steps as a “reciprocal measure” and expressed hope that the Koreas could “gradually reopen dialogue and communication.”
Kim accused Lee’s government of misleading the public, stating that North Koreans “never removed loudspeakers installed along the border and are not prepared to remove them.” The South’s government and military did not immediately respond to Kim’s remarks, which were carried by state media.
Beyond the loudspeaker dispute, Kim also rejected South Korean media speculation that the North might use this week’s planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to send a message to Washington through Moscow.
“Why would we send a message to the American side?” she asked, adding that the North has no interest in talks with the United States.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, North Korea has made Russia a priority in its foreign policy, sending thousands of troops and large quantities of military supplies—including artillery and missiles—to help fuel Moscow’s war effort.
North Korean and Russian state media said Wednesday that Kim Jong Un and Putin had held a phone call to discuss their deepening ties and the war against Ukraine.
Russia’s TASS news agency reported that Putin also shared details of his upcoming talks with Trump in Alaska on Friday, though North Korean reports made no mention of the Trump meeting.
In July, Kim Yo Jong had already issued statements rejecting Washington and Seoul’s stated desire to revive diplomacy aimed at denuclearizing the North, a process that collapsed in 2019 following a failed summit with Trump during his first term.
