North Korea: Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, promoted to the country’s highest governing body
Seven other people have been promoted alongside him as part of a SAC reshuffle, though Kim Yo Jong is the only woman. Nine members have been retired or demoted, including Pak Pong Ju, 82, who is responsible for Kim Jong Un’s economic policy over the past decade.
Resumption of the communication line
News of Kim Yo Jong’s promotion came after Kim Jong Un told the country’s legislature on Wednesday that he would re-establish broken lines of communication with the South in early October, KCNA reported.
Lines are considered important because they can help prevent an accidental military confrontation caused by a misinterpretation or miscalculation of the other party’s action or intention.
In response, the South Korean government said it would start preparations and look forward to the “restoration and stable management” of inter-Korean communications, according to the Unification Ministry.
Why is Kim Yo Jong’s promotion important?
In 2020, the South Korean spy agency told lawmakers it had been responsible for relations with the South and the United States.
Kim Yo Jong last week called on the South to make “the right choice” if it truly wants reconciliation and the development of inter-Korean relations, including another summit. She also warned the United States and South Korea to end their “hostile” policies against North Korea, before talks could resume on a proposal by the South Korean president to declare the end of the war. war between North and South.
But Kim Yo Jong’s ascent to the top has not been smooth.
Earlier this year, she was removed from her post as an alternate member of the powerful North Korean political bureau and demoted from “first deputy head of department” to “deputy head of department.”
CNN’s Joshua Berlinger contributed reporting.