WNAM REPORT: North Korea appears to be shifting its foreign policy focus toward restoring relations with its long-time ally, China, after designating this year to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, South Korea’s unification ministry said Tuesday.
The ministry handling inter-Korean relations submitted the assessment to parliament for an annual parliamentary inspection.
Since holding an opening ceremony for the “DPRK-China Friendship Year” in April, relations between the two nations have somewhat cooled over the past six months, as there have been no media reports of large-scale celebrations or high-level exchanges to mark the occasion.
DPRK stands for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Nevertheless, the ministry noted that Pyongyang seems to have adjusted its stance in recent times, showing a greater focus on restoring its relationship with Beijing.
The move comes as Sunday marked the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The ministry cited an example of this renewed focus, pointing out that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the North Korean regime in September.
Additionally, the ministry said North Korea continues to solidify its anti-American stance by strengthening ties with its socialist allies, including Vietnam, Laos and Cuba, as well as Iran.
Separately, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho mentioned the possibility of North Korea’s further provocations, as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his stance that South and North Korea are “two states hostile to each other.”
