<Anchor>
Amid the prospect that inter-Korean relations will improve with the restoration of inter-Korean communication lines, North Korea has made a statement in the name of Vice-Director Kim Yeo-jung, outrightly demanding the cessation of ROK-US military exercises. He argued that inter-Korean relations could deteriorate again if the exercises were conducted, and that the choice should be 'hope or despair'.
This is Ahn Jung-shik, a reporter specializing in North Korea.
<Reporter>
North Korea stipulated that the South's expectations for the restoration of inter-Korean communication lines in a statement released on Sunday evening in the name of Vice-Chairman Kim Yeo-jung was an expanded interpretation.
He said that the restoration of the communication line has no meaning beyond physical connection, and that it is premature and rash judgment to even come up with the possibility of an inter-Korean summit in South Korea.
Kim Yeo-jung also expressed her blatant dissatisfaction with the South Korea-U.S. military exercises scheduled for the middle of this month.
He said that he was hearing unpleasant voices that the ROK-U.S. exercises could be carried out, and argued that the ROK-US exercises, which are being held at a time of such an important reversal, would seriously undermine the will of the leaders of the two Koreas to restore trust.
Kim Yeo-jung, who argued that the exercise would be an uninteresting prelude that further clouded the future of inter-Korean relations, said North Korea does not choose between hope or despair.
This is a warning that inter-Korean relations could be halted again depending on whether or not South Korea-US drills are held.
It is noteworthy how the government will respond as North Korea blatantly links the implementation of South Korea-US military exercises with progress in inter-Korean relations.