it's still a little chilling to see it set out so bluntly.
The message also emphasized that police officers need to fully grasp this situation, closely monitor public sentiment, and work hand-in-hand with inminban (neighborhood watch unit) leaders to ensure this position is explained to all citizens, both adults and children.
In the message, Kim offered modest praise for South Korea’s current administration under President Lee Jae-myung, noting that “not all South Korean officials are the same.”
The message explained that South Korea’s current president belongs to the Democratic Party, just like former president Moon Jae-in, who once addressed Pyongyang citizens at the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, and former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, who reached significant agreements with North Korea. The Democratic Party, the message stated, has always worked for friendship, unity, and peace since the era of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
That's new. Previously abuse has been showered equally on all South Korean presidents, whether from the left or the right. Perhaps now that the "two hostile states" narrative is firmly established, some distinction between the South Korean parties can be permitted.
If indeed the "two hostile states" narrative is firmly established…
However, the message warned that whitewashing North-South relations simply because South Korea’s current president is from the Democratic Party would constitute an anti-state action that goes against the party’s fundamental line. Any comments that misrepresent the nature of North-South relations will not be tolerated.
“The message sternly warned that those who don’t understand the ever-changing nature of North-South relations must not create discord with the Central Committee, as that could create an opening for enemies hidden within our midst. In the lecture, beat police officers were instructed to relay this message to all citizens, without exception, by the end of the month,” the source said.
After the lecture, a heavy silence filled the room, with some senior ministry officials present cautiously admitting to feelings of “ideological confusion.”
“People yearned for reunification during the rule of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and their hearts overflowed with the ambition of passing down a single united fatherland to future generations. That’s why they’ve been so puzzled by these orders to treat South Korea like a foreign country. Many officers hinted at their own sadness when talking about how ordinary citizens must find the current situation heartbreaking,” the source said.
Leave a Reply