August 02, 2021, 04:49 PM
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, has warned South Korea against conducting military exercises with the United States as these actions can jeopardise relations in the Korean Peninsula, as per Bloomberg.
In a message published by North Korea state media targeted at South Korea, Kim Yo Jong said the planned drills, which take place annually, are "an undesirable prelude" that "seriously undermines the will of the top leaders of the North and the South wishing to see a step taken toward restoring mutual trust ", Associated Press (AP) reported.
Dormant communication channels between 2 Koreas reestablished
Kim Yo Jong's warning came just days after North and South Korea reestablished dormant communication channels, reported AP.
According to Bloomberg, there are worries of North Korea using South Korea president Moon Jae-in's desire to talk to pressure Seoul into distancing from Washington.
There was also talk of more summits between the leaders of North and South Korea following the restoration of communication channels.
North Korea regularly takes issue with joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S., as the authoritarian state perceives it to be drills for the invasion of North Korea.
The U.S. and South Korea have stated that the drills are mainly defensive in nature.
As per Reuters, the exercises have reportedly been scaled back in recent years to facilitate dialogue between North Korea and the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The U.S. has not succeeded in their goal of persuading North Korea to abandon their nuclear weapons projects.
Seoul's defence ministry has said it is in talks with Washington regarding the exercise, according to Reuters.
A decision has yet to be made on whether to proceed, but South Korea has reportedly said that the exercise should not create tension.
Who is Kim Yo Jong?
Kim Yo Jongย is North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un'sย younger sister.
She is believed to be four years younger than her brother, who is believed to be 36.
There has been fanfare over Kim Yo Jong on Twitter, with fan art dedicated to her.
https://twitter.com/ian_is_uhhhhh/status/1254252702256844800
"Hi, My name is Kim Yo Jong and I'm late for my first day as a dictator"
— ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง | ใขใผใใณ ๐ฅ (@ardenlolo) April 26, 2020
*๐ผ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ผ๐๐*
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Patreon:https://t.co/ZQ3xB8khR9
Commission:https://t.co/WxBF3McxPz
#KimYoJong #KimJongUn #Fanart pic.twitter.com/326EqP2yJa
Kim Yo Jong'sย appearance makes her stand out from the ruling figures of North Korea, most of whom are stern-looking middle-aged men.
Completely opposite of herย brother, she's relatively slim, with high cheek bones, pursed lips, and cutting an almost reluctant, business-like, and feminine figure.
It is believed that she wields considerable influence in the ruling hierarchy.
Said to be her brother's confidante, she was present at both Trump-Kim meetings in Singapore and Vietnam.
Reports from August 2020 also suggested that Kim Jong Un had delegated more power and responsibilities to Kim Yo Jong, after a rare acknowledgment by the dictator that there were policy "shortcomings".
Following rumours in April 2020 about Kim Jong Un's death, Kim Yo Jong was seen as a potential candidate to succeed the throne, alongside her uncle Kim Pyong Il.
Top image via Korea Summit Press Pool/Getty Images
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