The situation on the Korean Peninsula has once again aroused concern, and everyone is nervous, originally thinking that North Korea will insist on-for-tat confrontation with South Korea, but unexpectedly, North Korea suddenly changed its strategy and turned to Japan, and even the United States did not oppose it.
Recently, Kim Yo-jong, deputy minister of the DPRK Labor Commission, in an interview, responded surprisingly to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's proposal to "hold DPRK-Japan talks".
She said that Kishida's proposal is a bold attempt to abandon the shackles of the past and actively promote the development of DPRK-Japan relations. At the same time, she also stressed that as long as Japan is willing to take a political decision to improve relations between the two countries, it is entirely possible for the two countries to create a new future, and there is even a possibility of Kishida's visit to Pyongyang.
Relations between North Korea and Japan have been very tense for many years, for a number of reasons. First of all, in history, Japan has invaded the Korean Peninsula many times, causing irreparable losses to the Korean people.
Second, the North Korean nuclear issue and the "Rajan issue" (the abduction of Japanese by North Korea) are also key factors affecting the relationship between the two countries. Moreover, since Fumio Kishida came to power, he has been committed to building an alliance between the United States, Japan and South Korea, and South Korea has always pinned its hopes on the United States and Japan to deter North Korea through various military cooperation.
Therefore, in the eyes of North Korea, the relationship between the United States, Japan, and South Korea is one that loses both. Against this backdrop, Kim Yo-jong's action of throwing an olive branch to Japan cannot help but make people think deeply.
China's Vice Minister Sun Weidong met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myung-ho, and it is worth noting that a few days ago, North Korea abolished three institutions set up for the purpose of "peace, negotiation and reunification", cut off all communication channels with South Korea, and recharacterized South Korea-North Korea relations as "mortal enemies", which brought relations between the two sides to a record low.
Just when the situation was about to get out of control, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed the news that "the United States, Japan, and South Korea are preparing for war with North Korea", which made everyone's hearts hang in their throats.
However, judging from the current objective conditions, after three years of epidemic lockdown, North Korea's important strategic resources such as energy and food are facing a test, and it is urgent to boost the economy.
Therefore, it is not known whether North Korea really wants to clash with the United States, Japan and South Korea. However, once spoken, it is like water that has been spilled, and it is difficult to take it back. If it does not want to "go head-to-head," the DPRK can only change its strategy and choose to start with Japan, which is a kind of diplomatic wisdom.
Behind North Korea's test launch of a strategic cruise missile, there are more subtle considerations hidden behind the superficial toughness. Militarily, North Korea is reluctant to give up its nuclear and missile capabilities, which is not only necessary to ensure its own security, but also an important means to enhance its position in international negotiations.
However, the DPRK also recognizes that a hard-hitting approach will only exacerbate the instability of the situation on the peninsula and pose a threat to the stability of the North Korean regime. Therefore, improving relations with Japan is an important way for the DPRK to reduce its military pressure.
At the same time, Japan's pivotal position in the security pattern of Northeast Asia also makes improving relations with Japan of great strategic significance to the DPRK. Diplomatically, Fumio Kishida is facing a political crisis, and his diplomatic achievements have become the key to his political status.
The summit meeting with North Korea is undoubtedly a bold move that could lead to significant diplomatic results, and it is a good opportunity for Kishida to improve his political status.
On behalf of North Korea, Kim Yo-jong is trying to engage in dialogue with Japan to diplomatically probe the international community's response while providing more flexibility for North Korea's future diplomatic strategy. Park Chung-hyun, of the United States, expressed full support for the improvement of relations between Japan and North Korea, as this move may reduce diplomatic pressure on the United States.
However, this has left South Korea awkward on the diplomatic front, and the actions of North Korea and Japan appear to be putting pressure on South Korea on the changing landscape in East Asia, which could affect the US-Japan-South Korea alliance.
South Korea needs to respond effectively to such changes while maintaining cooperative relations with its allies, testing its diplomatic wisdom and strategy.