North Korea State Media Makes Call for Reunification

Earlier this month, North and South Korea shocked the world with the Winter Olympics announcement and now the North Korea state media outlet is making a call for unification.  

According to Reuters, it said Koreans should “promote contact, travel, cooperation between North and South Korea” and that Pyongyang will “smash” those who oppose the reunification on Thursday.

The state media announcement also said that “all Koreans at home and abroad” should make a “breakthrough” for unification without the assistance of other countries.  

It appears as though North Korea is sending a message to the U.S. to stay out of the conflict in the Korean peninsula.

“The announcement, issued after a joint meeting of government and political parties, added Koreans should wage an energetic drive to defuse the acute military tension and create a peaceful climate on the Korean peninsula,” writes Reuters. “Military tension on the Korean peninsula was a “fundamental obstacle” for the improvement of inter-Korean relations and unification, the North’s official news agency said. It added joint military drills with “outside forces” has shown to be unhelpful for the development of relations between North and South Korea.”

This is the latest move by North Korea to play nice since the New Year. The country’s leader Kim Jong Un mentioned both unification and having North Korea participate in the Winter Olympics in his New Year’s address.  

Soon after the speech, the two countries started to communicate directly after two years of suspended contact.  

About a week ago, North and South Korea agreed to have their athletes march together under one flag at the Winter Games taking place next month in Pyeongchang.

Although North Kora wants the U.S. to stay out of it, President Donald Trump’s efforts to pressure North Korea to halt building its Nuclear Weapon program has proven to be fruitful.  

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that Trump deserves “big credit” for the recent meetings between the enemies. 

“I think President Trump deserves big credit for bringing about the inter-Korean talks,” said Moon at a news conference, as reported by Reuters. “It could be a resulting work of the U.S.-led sanctions and pressure.” 

However, the Trump Administration, along with other world powers like Japan, don’t think North Korea can be trusted. This could just be part of a scheme to drive a wedge between South Korea and the U.S. or to buy North Korea more time to continue its nuclear weapons program.

Author’s note: So far, the North Korea state media is only reporting this. So, it’s premature to say how serious this is. But, this could be a step in the right direction. It also could just be North Korea trying to manipulate its people (as usual) and the rest of the world.