South Korea Urges North Korea to End Slanderous Rhetoric

The Presidential Office of South Korea urged North Korea on August 21 to stop unnecessary slander and commit to peace on the Korean Peninsula. This response followed a statement from Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who accused South Korean President Lee Jae-myung of duplicity and flattery toward U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kim Yo-jong targeted President Lee for his support of the scaling back of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. She claimed the reduction of these drills proves South Korea maintains a subordinate role within its alliance with the United States and characterized Lee's approach as "double-dealing remarks and actions."

South Korean officials responded by stating that such disparaging remarks hinder the development of mutual trust. The government affirmed it will continue close coordination with the United States while seeking a peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect.