Kim Myungsung

SAND's Secretary

General Editor for the SAND Newsletter

● Kim Ju-ae in Leather Coat and Sunglasses Stands Alongside Kim Jong-un During Aerobatic Maneuvers, Highlighting 'Paektu Bloodline Protection'

● North Korean JSA Workers Confirmed Wearing Handguns... Bringing Crew Served Weapons into DMZ Results in Complete Nullification of '9.19 South-North Korea’s Military Agreement'

● Kim Yo-jong of North Korea: "No negotiations with the U.S. on sovereignty."

1. Kim Ju-ae in Leather Coat and Sunglasses Stands Alongside Kim Jong-un During Aerobatic Maneuvers, Highlighting 'Paektu Bloodline Protection'

On December 1st, North Korean state media announced that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, visited key Air Force facilities on November 30th to mark Air Force Day, and he was joined by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae. North Korean media emphasized the 'Paektu bloodline protection' in relation to Kim Ju-ae during this event.

North Korea's Leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae were seen watching an air show during their visit to the Air Force Command on December 30th to commemorate North Korean Air Force Day / Photo by the Korean Central News Agency & Yonhap News Agency

Kim Ju-ae was notably spotted donning a leather long coat and sunglasses, echoing Kim Jong-un's style. Furthermore, her presence beside Kim Jong-un while they watched the Air Force's aerobatic displays in a Rodong Sinmun photo from December 1st has sparked speculation of a possible succession scenario.

On December 1st, the Korean Central News Agency reported that leader Kim, accompanied by his "beloved daughter," visited the 1st Air Division for the celebration. Media photos captured Kim Ju-ae receiving greetings from prominent Air Force commanders alongside her father.

Kim Ju-ae has mainly appeared at military events since her first public appearance alongside Kim Jong-un on the observation platform during the test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile 'Hwasong-17' in the previous November.

The prominence of Kim Ju-ae in the photos published in Rodong Sinmun, surpassing even Kim Jong-un, carries significant symbolism. Although not officially confirmed, recent reports from Radio Free Asia (RFA) have indicated that Kim Ju-ae has been granted the title of "North Korea's Saetbyol (meaning rising star in Korean) General."

It's worth mentioning that during the evening celebration on the same day for Air Force Day, most of the three tables closest to where Kim Jong-un and Kim Ju-ae were seated were occupied by women. This could be seen as an unusual gesture, potentially aimed at promoting a greater role for women and cultivating the perception that Kim Ju-ae could be accepted as a successor in North Korean society, which has traditionally been patriarchal.

2. North Korean JSA Workers Confirmed Wearing Handguns... Bringing Crew Served Weapons into DMZ Results in Complete Nullification of '9.19 South-North Korea’s Military Agreement'

A North Korean soldier at Panmunjom JSA was confirmed with a handgun on the 28th of last month. North Korea nullified the "9.19 South-North Korea’s Military Agreement" and reinstated GPs, ending JSA demilitarization.

North Korean soldiers rebuilding observation posts and transporting recoilless rifle and guns at the eastern front's frontline GP / Photo by Ministry of National Defense

According to multiple sources within the ROK-US military, North Korean guards on the northern side of the JSA began carrying handguns in the latter half of the previous week. In contrast, our side's JSA security personnel remain unarmed.

The United Nations Command, responsible for overseeing the JSA, is closely monitoring North Korean actions while considering potential responses. If North Korean troops continue to remain armed in the JSA, there is a possibility that our side may reintroduce arms.

Following the South Korean government's decision to suspend the effectiveness of Article 1, Paragraph 3, "Establishment of a No-Fly Zone," in the "9.19 South-North Korea’s Military Agreement" in response to North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch on the 22nd of the previous month, North Korea announced the complete nullification of the " Agreement" the following day.

Since the 24th of last month, North Korea has redeployed troops to 11 GPs under the '9.19 South-North Korea’s Military Agreement,' bolstering them with observation posts, fortifications, recoilless guns, and crew-served weapons. Incidents involving North Korean coastal artillery near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea have also surged.

Military authorities report that North Korean coastal artillery near the NLL typically comprised 1 to 2 units. However, recently, there have been more than 10 units. As per the Agreement, entrances to coastal artillery installations near the NLL were supposed to remain closed.

3. Kim Yo-jong of North Korea: "No negotiations with the U.S. on sovereignty."

On October 30th, Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of North Korea's Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), declared that sovereignty would not be up for negotiation, leading to a refusal to engage in talks with the United States. This statement followed a four-month break since July 17th.

Kim Yo-jong, North Korea's WPK Deputy Director, at a national emergency anti-epidemic meeting in August of the previous year / Photo by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

Kim Yo-jong, via KCNA, stated that “the United States instructed us to set the timing and agenda for North-U.S. talks, but there will be no further discussions on this matter."

Kim Yo-jong criticized the UNSC discussion regarding North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch on the 27th of last month (local time).

Kim Yo-jong firmly denounced the UNSC, declaring, "The UNSC operates with a severe double standard and functions as a lawless environment where injustice and coercion dominate."

She criticized, stating, "The primary threats to international peace and security do not come from the DPRK's exercise of sovereign rights but from the United States' high-handedness and aggression, which aims to provoke and suppress."

Kim Yo-jong also disagreed with UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield's description of North Korea's space development rights as "illegal."

While Ambassador Greenfield talked about "meaningful dialogue" and efforts for a "peaceful resolution," Kim Yo-jong highlighted the need for a clear explanation regarding the origin and purpose of the strategic targets frequently seen in South Korea's ports.

She stressed, "If the United States favors 'peace through strength,' where dialogue is presented first while military power is wielded behind the scenes, then we must be ready for both dialogue and confrontation. Particularly, we should be fully prepared for confrontation, as it aligns with our consistent stance towards the U.S."

She also emphasized, "Our dedication to safeguarding all of our country's sovereign rights will endure, and the DPRK will exercise the same sovereign rights as granted to all UN member states without any restrictions."

The UNSC discussed North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch on the 27th of last month but failed to produce concrete results like a UN Security Council statement or resolution, as China and Russia, permanent members of the council, opposed it.