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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un publicly dismissed and harshly criticized a vice premier responsible for the machine-building industry, using a vivid insult to compare the official's ineffectiveness to "a goat yoked to pull an ox cart." This action was part of a broader reprimand of officials for failing to meet economic goals. Analysts interpret this move, alongside recent public statements by Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, as indicative of internal pressure and external unease within the North Korean leadership ahead of a significant political meeting.
In international relations, Kim Jong Un sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin pledging to continue cooperation and offer "unconditional" support for Russia's policies. Concurrently, Kim Yo Jong dismissed recent reconciliation statements from South Korea, characterizing them as a dream. In response to the stalled diplomatic process, South Korean President Lee publicly asked Chinese leader Xi for China to act as a mediator to restart talks with North Korea. Lee identified China as an important partner for peace on the Korean Peninsula and expressed a desire to restart U.S.-North Korea negotiations "as early as possible," viewing China's involvement as a crucial step.
1 topics | 6 sources
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has fired a vice premier who was in charge of the country's machine-building industry. State media reported the dismissal using an unusual insult, describing the official as 'a goat yoked to pull an ox cart.' Separately, Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, has made rare back-to-back public statements, which some experts say signals unease in Pyongyang about its external relations.
2 topics | 24 sources
Jan 21
North Korea's Kim Jong Un fires a vice premier and criticizes officialsNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has fired a vice premier, publicly criticizing him as incompetent and comparing him to 'a goat yoked to pull an ox cart.' The move is part of a broader reprimand of officials for their performance. In other developments, Kim's sister dismissed South Korea's recent reconciliation statements as a 'dream,' and Kim sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin pledging to continue cooperation and offering 'unconditional' support for Russia's policies.
Jan 21
South Korean leader asks China to help restart talks with North KoreaSouth Korea's President Lee has publicly asked China to act as a mediator to help restart diplomatic talks between the United States and North Korea. He called China an 'important partner' for peace on the Korean Peninsula and said he wants to restart the stalled talks 'as early as possible'.