Overview

• Kim Yo Jong affirmed North Korea has no interest in talks with South Korea regardless of Seoul’s proposals.
• She accused President Lee’s government of blind reliance on its US security alliance and labeled the upcoming joint summer exercises a provocation.
• Pyongyang has avoided diplomatic contact with both Seoul and Washington since the collapse of the 2019 Trump–Kim nuclear summit.
• President Lee halted inter-Korean propaganda broadcasts and balloon leaflet launches in June in a bid to lower tensions, but received no diplomatic reciprocation.
• North Korea is deepening its strategic partnership with Russia through expanded military-technology cooperation and regular Nordwind Airlines flights between Moscow and Pyongyang.