N.Korea rejects S.Korea's offer of denuclearization in lieu of economic incentives

August 19, 2022

North Korean leader's sister says no one is bartering its destiny for corn cake

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) - North Korea rejected the South Korean President's economic incentive offer on Friday, calling it the "height of absurdity," according to state-run media.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said in a statement that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's "bold plan" is the "height of absurdity" as it is impracticable to create mulberry fields in the dark blue ocean.

"All (of) the predecessors in the South, and even their master, the U.S. failed to make the North abandon nukes," she said in the statement published by the Korean Central News Agency.

"All cannot be bartered. To think that the plan to barter ‘economic cooperation’ for our honor, nukes, is the great dream, hope, and plan of Yoon, we came to realize that he is really simple and still childish," she said, adding that no one is bartering its destiny for corn cake.

On Monday, President Yoon offered economic incentives to North Korea in return for denuclearization, saying Pyongyang's denuclearization is "essential" for peace in the region.

On Tuesday, Seoul urged Pyongyang to respond to his offer.

Instead of responding to the offer, North Korea test-fired two cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea the next day.

Yo Jong also confirmed the Wednesday missile tests, stating that they were conducted on the Kumsong Bridge in Anju City, South Phyongan Province, not the Onchon area.

She said the South Korean president has no right to talk about the economy and welfare of other countries. "A knave who talks about the bold plan today and stages anti-North war exercises tomorrow is none other than mastermind Yoon Suk Yeol," she alleged.

She was referring to the South Korea and US troops’ annual joint military exercises, which will begin on Monday.

She also warned South Korea to stay away from any confrontation with Pyongyang, adding that "Yoon should not forget our advice even a moment that it would be good never to stand face to face with us."