Increasing hostility: Sibling of Kim Jong Un threatens nuclear retaliation
The renewed tensions between South Korea and North Korea have escalated. Kim Jong Un's sister has spoken out about leaflets sent by a group of South Korean activists to North Korea. Her words were filled with solid criticism aimed at their southern neighbour.
Since the end of May, North Korea has been sending South Korea balloons with waste, including plastic trash and waste paper. Although Seoul did not directly respond, a group of activists retaliated by sending balloons with leaflets criticizing the Kim Jong Un regime, USB drives with K-pop songs and TV series, and 2,000 one-dollar bills.
Kim Jong Un's sister on South Korea
Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean dictator's sister, is considered the second most powerful person in the country. She is decidedly harsher in her rhetoric than her brother. She threatened South Korea with nuclear destruction and, according to some reports, may take control of North Korea if her brother is unable to lead the country.
According to the German service n-tv.de, Kim's sister commented on the balloon exchanges between South Korea and North Korea. She called Seoul's representatives "scum" and announced retaliation from Pyongyang, stating that South Korea would "pay a high price."
She reported that numerous "dirty leaflets" have been found along the border and stated that searches for other packages from across the southern border will be conducted. All "foreign" materials will be disposed of.
Tense relations between South Korea and North Korea
The escalation of tensions was not only related to the May incidents involving balloons from North Korea. The government in Seoul suspended the 2018 military agreement, which was meant to ease relations between the two Koreas. This decision was due to Pyongyang's GPS signal jamming.
At the end of December last year, Kim Jong Un announced accelerating preparations for a potential war. The reason was "confrontational moves" by the US and its allies. North Korea continues to threaten its opponents with the use of nuclear weapons.
It is worth remembering that both states are formally in a state of war, as the 1950-1953 conflict ended with an armistice agreement. However, there is still no peace treaty.
