By Chung Min-uck
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un Wednesday called for improved inter-Korean relations.
"We have to make favorable conditions for better South-North relations," Kim said in his New Year's message broadcast on state TV and radio.
"It is time to end pointless mudslinging and stop doing things that undermine reconciliation and cooperation," the young dictator said.
It still remains to be seen whether Kim's reference marks any change in the North's policy toward the South.
"Kim called for eased tension between the South and the North in last year's New Year's speech as well," said an official from the Ministry of Unification, which handles inter-Korean affairs. "Their rhetoric is hardly followed by concrete action and we still have to wait and see what kind of policies they come up with."
Last year, Pyongyang conducted its third nuclear test in February after conveying a conciliatory message to the South in its leader's 2013 New Year's speech.
"Kim just repeated the North's previous position on South Korea without elaborating on the details," the official added.
Seoul refuses to engage with Pyongyang unless it apologizes for the death of a South Korean tourist shot during her Mt. Geumgang trip to North Korea in 2008, and admits responsibility for the sinking of South Korea's warship Cheonan in 2010 which killed 46 sailors.
It has also demanded that North Korea take concrete steps toward denuclearization before any inter-Korean engagement takes place.
None of those issues were mentioned in Kim's speech.
Kim further said his country will continue to build up its military. "We should continue to channel great efforts into building up the country's defense capabilities," Kim said.
"Strengthening defense capabilities is the most important of all state affairs, and the country's dignity, people's happiness and peace rest on powerful arms."
Kim's comments came amid concerns that the North may stage another military provocation against South Korea as part of a strategy to forge internal unity following the execution of his once-powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek.
The high-profile purge of Jang, who had long been considered the North's No. 2 man, sparked concerns over potential instability in the isolated country armed with nuclear weapons.
"The purge of anti-party and counterrevolutionary factionalists has strengthened the party," Kim said, calling Jang "factional rubbish."
It marked the second time that Kim has delivered a verbal New Year's message since he inherited power from his late father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011.
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| NK leader Kim Jong-un |
"We have to make favorable conditions for better South-North relations," Kim said in his New Year's message broadcast on state TV and radio.
"It is time to end pointless mudslinging and stop doing things that undermine reconciliation and cooperation," the young dictator said.
It still remains to be seen whether Kim's reference marks any change in the North's policy toward the South.
"Kim called for eased tension between the South and the North in last year's New Year's speech as well," said an official from the Ministry of Unification, which handles inter-Korean affairs. "Their rhetoric is hardly followed by concrete action and we still have to wait and see what kind of policies they come up with."
Last year, Pyongyang conducted its third nuclear test in February after conveying a conciliatory message to the South in its leader's 2013 New Year's speech.
"Kim just repeated the North's previous position on South Korea without elaborating on the details," the official added.
Seoul refuses to engage with Pyongyang unless it apologizes for the death of a South Korean tourist shot during her Mt. Geumgang trip to North Korea in 2008, and admits responsibility for the sinking of South Korea's warship Cheonan in 2010 which killed 46 sailors.
It has also demanded that North Korea take concrete steps toward denuclearization before any inter-Korean engagement takes place.
None of those issues were mentioned in Kim's speech.
Kim further said his country will continue to build up its military. "We should continue to channel great efforts into building up the country's defense capabilities," Kim said.
"Strengthening defense capabilities is the most important of all state affairs, and the country's dignity, people's happiness and peace rest on powerful arms."
Kim's comments came amid concerns that the North may stage another military provocation against South Korea as part of a strategy to forge internal unity following the execution of his once-powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek.
The high-profile purge of Jang, who had long been considered the North's No. 2 man, sparked concerns over potential instability in the isolated country armed with nuclear weapons.
"The purge of anti-party and counterrevolutionary factionalists has strengthened the party," Kim said, calling Jang "factional rubbish."
It marked the second time that Kim has delivered a verbal New Year's message since he inherited power from his late father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011.
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