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North Korea Breaks Its Silence

Jean Lee Image

Statement from Jean H. Lee, Director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy at The Wilson Center.

"North Korea has broken its silence with a colorful statement attributed to Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, that is perfectly timed to coincide with the Biden Administration’s first high-level visit to Asia.

At the same time, there are U.S. sources saying North Korea may be preparing for a banned weapons test.

With these moves, North Korea is seeking to influence policymaking in Seoul and Washington by reminding them of the threat Pyongyang poses. Kim has not directly provoked the Biden Administration — yet. For the time being, the activity at test sites might mainly just be for the benefit of satellites trained from above, a warning sent via satellite imagery. Kim Jong Un is waiting to see what President Biden’s Korea policy will entail - but is warning that his patience is limited."

About the Author

Jean Lee Image

Jean H. Lee

Former Public Policy Fellow;
Journalist and former Pyongyang Bureau Chief, Associated Press
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Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy

The Center for Korean History and Public Policy was established in 2015 with the generous support of the Hyundai Motor Company and the Korea Foundation to provide a coherent, long-term platform for improving historical understanding of Korea and informing the public policy debate on the Korean peninsula in the United States and beyond.  Read more