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President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un exchanged personal letters, the North Korean Central News Agency reported.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that Chairman Kim Jong-un received a letter from President Moon Jae-in two days ago (the 20th) and sent a reply letter yesterday (21st) a day later.
The Korean Central News Agency said that the two leaders exchanged warm greetings through a personal letter, and President Moon said in the letter, "Even in difficult circumstances, the leaders of the north and the south (the leaders of the north and the south) have been holding hands and working together for peace on the Korean peninsula and cooperation between the north and the south. He mentioned that he has worked hard for the sake of the future and expressed his willingness to share his heart so that the North-South (South-North) joint declarations can become the foundation for unification even after retirement."
In a reply, Chairman Kim Jong-un said, "I remember (reminisce) about the leaders of the north and the south (the leaders of the two Koreas) announced the historic joint declarations and gave hope for the future to the whole nation," and "Moon Jae-in, who has devoted his heart to the cause of the nation until the end of his term in office. "I highly appreciate the anguish and hard work of the president," the Central News Agency reported.
In addition, the two leaders shared the view that "North-South (South-North) relations will improve and develop in line with the aspirations and expectations of the nation if each other makes unrelenting efforts with hope," The Central News Agency added that he sent a warm greeting.
The Korea Central News Agency also evaluated that "the exchange of personal letters between the leaders of the North and South (North and South Korea) is a sign of deep trust."
The Blue House also confirmed the exchange of personal letters
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After the North Korean report came out, the Blue House also confirmed the exchange of personal letters between the leaders of the two Koreas.
The Blue House said in a personal letter that President Moon expressed his regret that inter-Korean dialogue did not reach the place he had hoped for, and hoped that the era of confrontation should be overcome through dialogue and that dialogue between the U.S. and the U.S. could resume as soon as possible.
"The progress of the dialogue is up to the next government, and I have asked Chairman Kim Jong-un to engage in inter-Korean cooperation while cherishing the cause of peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said.
The Blue House also added that Chairman Kim said in his reply, "[The South and the North] did not reach the desired place, but made historic declarations and agreements that will be milestones in inter-Korean relations, and evaluated them as indelible achievements."
It's the end of the term, but the message to the new government is also
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Overall, this exchange of personal letters appears to be the last greeting between President Moon and Chairman Kim, who have only a few days left in office.
It is that President Moon, who had contacted Chairman Kim several times during his five-year term, including three inter-Korean summits and inter-Korean summits in Panmunjom, sent his last greeting, and Chairman Kim seems to have responded.
As it was the last greeting, it was also accompanied by a message of encouragement from Chairman Kim, who recalled past inter-Korean relations and appreciated President Moon's agony and hard work.
However, this exchange of personal letters does not seem to contain only the meaning of communication between President Moon and Chairman Kim.
According to the announcements of the two Koreas, it is said that Chairman Kim said that 'If the two Koreas make efforts with hope, inter-Korean relations will improve and develop.'
These are the words I said to President Moon, but I can't hear them only to President Moon.
This is a passage that can also be read as a message about the Yoon Seok-yeol government, who is now starting his term.
The fact that North Korea disclosed the contents of the exchange of personal letters between the leaders of the two Koreas ahead of us also suggests this intention.
The exchange of personal letters between the leaders may be kept secret, which can be interpreted as opening up room for inter-Korean relations to the Yun Seok-yeol government as well.
It is difficult to see the change in the attitude toward South Korea
It is, however, hasty to assume that North Korea's stance toward South Korea will change.
Reports on the exchange of personal letters from North Korea were published only in the Korean Central News Agency, an external media, and not in the Rodong Sinmun, which is available to North Koreans.
It is not meant to create an atmosphere for North Koreans in preparation for the improvement of inter-Korean relations.
Taken as a whole, it appears that Chairman Kim Jong-un sent an indirect message to the Yun Seok-yeol administration, giving his final greetings and congratulations to President Moon, who was ending his term.
There is room for inter-Korean relations, but it means that we will decide what to do next while watching the Yun Seok-yeol administration.
Of course, the direction North Korea wants to improve inter-Korean relations would be for the South Korean government to focus only on improving relations, such as economic cooperation, without arguing over North Korea's nuclear program.
The Yun Seok-Yeol administration's North Korea policy does not seem to be the direction North Korea wants, and it seems that North Korea also recognizes it.