The younger sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said on Friday that South Korea’s president should “shut his mouth” rather than offer economic aid in exchange for nuclear disarmament.
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong’s comments were in response to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol offer, first proposed in May and reiterated during a speech on Wednesday, to provide phased economic aid to the hermit kingdom if it ends its nuclear weapons program.
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“It would have been more favourable for his image to shut his mouth, rather than talking nonsense as he had nothing better to say,” she said in a statement released by state-run media, according to Reuters.
The fiery statement went on to call Yoon “really simple” and “childish” for thinking North Korea would ever accept the terms of South Korea’s proposal.
“No one barters its destiny for corn cake,” Kim said.
Kim, believed to be 34, has held several prominent roles in North Korea’s government and is a member of the State Affairs Commission, the country’s top decision-making body. She is thought to be a close confidant and adviser to her brother.
Last year, she blasted then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in for calling North Korea’s missile launches a provocation. North Korea has fired at least 18 missiles in 2022.
Yoon, who earlier this week marked his 100th day in office, has also pushed military deterrence against North Korea, along with his plan to offer aid.
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Military officials in South Korea, the United States, and Japan have expressed concern that North Korea is gearing up for its first nuclear test since 2017 at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. The site had been closed since 2018.
The U.S. and South Korea began preliminary joint drills earlier this week in preparation for a major military field exercise that will take place from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1.
