Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters] -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed gratitude to South Korea’s president for working to improve relations. It is a rare act of kindness, but it could not stop growing tension between Koreas.

Three weeks ago, President Moon Jaein received warm words from North Korea in a series of letters. Moon is leaving office and will be succeeded by a conservative leader. Moon has signalled that he would take a harder line against North Korea.

Analysts were skeptical that North Korea’s messages meant a broader improvement of relations.

The exchange was first reported by the North Korean state media.

Kim Jong Un was grateful for Moon Jae In’s efforts to the national cause up until his last days,” North Korea’s KCNA news agency stated.

It stated that the exchange of letters was an expression of deep trust.

These letters are set against a background of tension following a North Korea-U.S. summit that failed in 2019. This was further exacerbated by North Korea’s launch last month of intercontinental missiles (ICBM) which ended a 2017 self-imposed moratorium.

Moon addressed a note on Wednesday, promising to work to create a framework for unification based in part on the declarations of summits held in 2018 despite being “difficult”, KCNA reported.

Moon’s office confirms that he has exchanged “letters to friendship” with Kim.

Moon declared that “era of conflict” needs to be overturned with dialogue. Inter-Korean engagement now falls under the purview of the next administration, Moon’s spokeswoman stated at a briefing. Moon expressed his hope that the U.S. and North Korean denuclearization talks would be reopened quickly.

Kim replied on Thursday to the question, saying that the “historical” summits had given the people “hope and for the future”. The two sides agreed that ties could develop if they “make relentless efforts with hope,” KCNA reported.

PRETEXT FOR BLAME?

As the U.S. special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, was visiting South Korea for negotiations, this exchange occurred. While the U.S. diplomat has stated that he would be open to meeting up with North Korea any time and without any preconditions whatsoever, it is unclear whether Moon specifically suggested a meeting.

Analysts were able to question the North’s real intentions.

Markus Garlauskas (a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think-tank and former U.S. intelligence officer for North Korea) said that this seems more like another step to build the pretext to blame Yoon.

Yang Moo jin, a Seoul-based professor of North Korean Studies, stated that Yoon might be signaled to by the letters. Yoon’s ability to reach out and cooperate would determine whether the North conducts a nuclear test again or any future actions.

Yoon will take office May 10th. He has indicated that he is open for dialogue, but more military deterrence as well as a stronger alliance with the U.S. are necessary to combat North’s provocations.

Kwon Young, Yoon’s nominee for cross-border affairs oversight, stated that exchanges of letters were a “good” thing and Kim shared “positive” views regarding inter-Korean relationships.

He told reporters that there was content the government wanted to hear. It was very encouraging that he doesn’t see any negative aspects of trusting and progress in relationships.

Tensions rose after North Korea’s first ICBM test in 2017 and fears that the country is preparing for a resumption of nuclear testing.

LEGACY AT STAKE

Moon was determined to improve inter-Korean relations and helped organize unprecedented meetings between Kim Jong Un (then President of the United States) and Donald Trump (then President).

Kim and Moon hosted three summits in 2018, promising peace and reconciliation. However, relations are deteriorating with North Korea warning about destructive actions and demolishment of facilities constructed by South Korean companies for their joint projects.

The North exploded a joint liaison officer on the border in 2020. Moon’s government had previously spent 9.78 billion won (8.6 million) to renovate it.

They tried to rekindle their ties again last year, but there was little success. Pyongyang also criticised Seoul for its “double standards” regarding weapons.

North Korea left the possibility open for Moon to serve as an envoy in his statement, however Christopher Green from Leiden University, Netherlands said that it is unlikely.

Green stated that the statement might cause controversy in South Korea by portraying Moon, a “deluded peacenik” who is still sending letters to Kim despite all of the North Korean weapons tests in the past eight months.