North Korean leader Kim Jong-un joins a group photo session with medics of the Korean People's Army at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang, Thursday, in this photo released by the North's Korean Central Television the following day. Yonhap

Kim Yo-jong rejects South Korean president's 'audacious initiative'

By Kang Seung-woo

In a scathing statement unveiled, Friday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said Pyongyang has no intention of establishing a "significant" relationship with the new South Korean government that recently unveiled an aid-for-disarmament initiative for the northern neighbor.

Experts, meanwhile, said North Korea's fiery words reflect its intention to maintain the upper hand in affairs involving South Korea.

According to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim rejected the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's "audacious plan," which boils down to improving North Korea's economy through large-scale economic incentives and technical support programs if the reclusive country takes steps toward denuclearization. The plan was made public during Yoon's speech marking National Liberation Day, Monday.

Kim Yo-jong makes a speech during a national meeting on anti-epidemic measures held in Pyongyang, Aug. 10, in this photo provided by the Korean Central News Agency the following day. Yonhap

"It would have been more favorable for his image to shut his mouth, rather than talking nonsense as he had nothing better to say," Kim said, describing the offer as the "height of absurdity" and lambasting the South Korean president by name.

"Although he may knock on the door with a large plan in the future, his 'bold plan' does not work. We make it clear that we will not sit face to face with him."

In response, the South Korean presidential office expressed strong regret over the "rude" remarks, saying that such an attitude will not help the regime's own future and peace on the Korean Peninsula, while isolating itself from the international community.

"The point of her statement is that North Korea is set to take the initiative in inter-Korean relations, refusing to be led by South Korea," said Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University.