Having been promoting inter-Korean relations since 2018, Kim Yo-jong surprised when the first statement was a harsh critic of Korea.

North Korea on March 2 made its first short-range weapons test in three months. The South Korean military thought it was a short-range ballistic missile, but North Korean media later reported that Kim Jong-un was overseeing the practice of firing super-large jet artillery.

The Blue House immediately convened a meeting of ministers related to security, expressed concern about the weapons test and called on Pyongyang to end the stressful activities.

A day later, Kim Yo-jong, 32, the first deputy head of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made a statement for the first time, saying that South Korea was not in a position to criticize North Korea when it was itself. conduct joint or joint drills with the United States. She said that Seoul's condemnation of Pyongyang is a "truly meaningless action" and "utter stupidity", comparing the move to "dog barking in fear".

"North Korea appears to be angry because it believes that it will only conduct regular drills for defensive purposes and has shrunk its scale amid growing concerns about Covid-19. But the Blue House condemns it. their activities as always and ask them to stop such drills, "said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at the Far East Research Institute at Kyungnam University.

"The first statement made by Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of leader Kim Jong-un, should be interpreted as a sign of Kim's strongest dissatisfaction with the Korean government," he added.

The massive bombardment on March 2 was the first time North Korea tested weapons after Kim Jong-un earlier this year threatened to introduce "new strategic weapons" and took "shocking actions" in the near future. Kim declared himself no longer bound by his commitment to stop testing long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.

North Korea conducted 13 major weapons tests last year but restricted military operations in recent months, as Covid-19 spread globally. North Korea did not disclose details of the weapons tested, but photos released by state media showed it was similar to those tested last year.

"It appears that North Korea has significantly reduced the scope of its exercises," said Hong Min, a researcher at the Korea National Institute of Unification. "The bullets were fired from the super large jet cannon, following the tests conducted since September last year and no new weapons were announced."

"It is worth noting that the North Korean media reported on this activity. They would normally attach messages targeting Korea and the US, but this time their newsletter was relatively simple, only describing him. Kim supervised and expressed his satisfaction, "he added.

So from Pyongyang's point of view, Seoul's reaction is completely ridiculous, Hong Min said.

Experts comment on Kim Yo-jong's statement showing North Korea's prolonged dissatisfaction with South Korea. Pyongyang says Seoul has lacked efforts to improve inter-Korean relations for fear of offending Washington.

Kim Yo-jong accompanied Kim Jong-un during summits with US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. She acted as Kim Jong-un's special envoy to South Korea at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, promoting rapid diplomatic relations between the two regions.

However, inter-Korean relations stagnated after the second US-North Korea summit in February 2019 failed to produce results. Since then, Pyongyang has called on Seoul to abandon international sanctions and strengthen inter-Korean economic relations, but South Korea refused. Inter-Korean exchanges also stalled because Pyongyang failed to respond to Seoul's requests such as easing travel control to North Korea or coordinating anti-Covid-19.

Pyongyang has criticized Seoul for delaying the implementation of agreements reached by bilateral leaders during the three summits in 2018. "Because no agreement or proposal was implemented, North Korea's anger seemed As if boiling, "Hong said. "But this anger is not spontaneous, it reflects a long simmering discontent with Korea."

"Kim Yo-jong, who has a moderate image, once acted as a soft and friendly messenger to South Korea. Her letting her make such a strong condemnation shows that North Korea is joining increasing pressure on South Korea, "said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at the Asan Policy Research Institute.

This statement may also signal that her position has increased in the Korean government. South Korean officials and experts say Kim is in charge of North Korea's propaganda.

"Kim Yo-jong's statement shows that her position and influence have expanded to the extent that she can express her opinions to the outside and beyond the role of supporting her brother Kim Jong-un in activities. public action, "said Cheong Seong-Chang, an expert from the Sejong Institute of Korea.

"If she continues to make condemnation statements directly to the United States, it will be a confirmation that she has become the second most powerful person after her brother," Go added.