North Korean media lauds high-ranking delegation upon return to Pyongyang

The Feb. 13 edition of Rodong Sinmun shows a photo of Kim Jong-un meeting Kim Yo-jong, Kim Yong-nam and other members of the high-ranking North Korean delegation that visited South Korea following their return to Pyongyang on Feb. 11 next to a photo of Kim posing with members of the Samjiyon musical performance group.

Rodong Sinmun: “Visit was a meaningful opportunity for improving inter-Korean relations and creating a peaceful environment”

On Feb. 12, North Korean media reported on the return of Kim Yo-jong, first vice director of the central committee of the North Korean Workers' Party, along with the rest of the North’s high-ranking delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The visit, according to the North Korean media, was significant for improving inter-Korean relations.

“The high-ranking delegation led by Comrade Kim Yong-nam [president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly] that attended the opening ceremony of the 23rd Winter Olympics arrived in Pyongyang on Feb. 11,” the Rodong Sinmun reported. After reporting that the Chammae-2, which serves as Kim Jong-un’s private jet, had landed at Pyongyang International Airport at 11:10 pm, the newspaper said, “The high-ranking delegation’s visit to South Korea, which aroused interest and expectations both at home and abroad, was a meaningful opportunity for improving inter-Korean relations and creating a peaceful environment on the Korean Peninsula.”

The newspaper’s front page ran photographs and articles about the high-ranking delegation’s return and about their attendance of a concert by the Samjiyon musical performance group with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. According to the article about the concert, “When the concert was at its peak, Hyon Song-wol, leader of the Samjiyon music performance group, came out on the stage and stirred up the crowd even more by sharing her feelings about her visit to South Korea and personally singing a song. The concert received the thunderous applause of the audience.”

Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, saluties an honor guard upon arrival at Pyongyang International Airport on Feb. 11. (Yonhap News)

These events were also covered by the Choson Sinbo, the official organ of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) that often represents the North Korean position overseas. “The decision to send a special envoy to South Korea during the Olympics reflects the belief that the subjective and objective conditions are in place for officials from North and South Korea to work together to boldly implement the idea of Korean unification by Koreans to which both sides agreed during the two previous inter-Korean summits,” the paper said.

“Considering that [North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s] New Year’s address this year emphasized that North and South Korea should not commit any more actions that raise tensions, it is reasonable to conclude, both on a logical and practical level, that the North will not carry out any more nuclear tests or ballistic missile test launches while the trend for inter-Korean dialogue and improving relations is maintained.”

By Noh Ji-won, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [[e-mail]]