N. Korea open to talks on ending war if treated with respect: Kim Yo-jong (upd)

김여정 '긍정 신호' 담화...통일부 "통신선 복원이 우선" The North Korean leader's sister, in her latest comments, is leaving open the possibility of declaring an official end to the Korean War, as proposed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in this past week at the UN General Assembly. She was also open to a possible inter-Korean summit on the condition, in her words, that the South treats the North with mutual respect. South Korea on Sunday welcomed such prospect. Kim Dami reports. North Korea could join in declaring a formal end to the Korean War as proposed by South Korea and even discuss holding an inter-Korean summit if Seoul treats Pyeongyang with (quote) "impartiality" and "mutual respect." This is according to the North Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo-jong, in a statement released Saturday by the North's state media. Those remarks came just a day after Kim called South Korean President Moon Jae-in's recent proposal of an end-of-war declaration a (quote) "interesting idea" and said the regime is open to discussions for improving inter-Korean relations if the South ends what she called its "hostility" against the North. Seoul welcomed the prospect on Sunday, with the Unification Ministry saying it expects to swiftly engage in talks with Pyeongyang and urging the restoration of communication lines between the two Koreas. Kim said she feels that the desire in South Korean politics to restore inter-Korean ties is irresistibly strong, and that the North has the same desire. But she made sure to say that such things can happen only when there is impartiality and respect for each side. As in her Friday statement, she also said that the North's self-defensive moves are mischaracterized as military threats while those of the South are rationalized. She then urged Seoul to drop what she referred to as a double standard and hostile policy. Kim Yo-jong also said she will not prejudge how things will go, and experts say the North is passing the ball to Seoul and Washington. Hours after Kim's statement, the U.S. State Department announced that the Biden administration supports inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation. Kim, however, noted that all she said is merely her "personal view." Kim Dami, Arirang News. #NorthKorea #SouthKorea #endingwar 📣 Arirang News(Facebook) :   / arirangtvnewsa   📣 Arirang News(Twitter) :   / arirangtvnews   📣 News Center(YouTube) :    / newscenter_arirangtv   2021-09-26 18:00 (KST)