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The most powerful woman in North Korea has pushed back on South Korea’s claims of easing border tensions between both sides.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae Myung has made clear efforts to shift inter-Korean relations away from confrontation and toward peace since taking office in June. In one of his administration’s first major gestures, Lee ordered the dismantling of South Korea’s own border-area loudspeakers used for anti-North propaganda (an act framed by Seoul’s military as a step to restore trust). Lee also claimed that North Korea dismantled its speakers in response to South Korea’s move.

Wall between n and s korea

What’s going on now: In response to South Korea’s recent claims, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a rebuttal, rejecting the notion entirely.We have never removed loudspeakers installed on the border area and are not willing to remove them,she said in a statement released through the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). She accused Seoul of spreadingan unfounded unilateral supposition and a red herring,and warned that the South was manipulating public opinion byembellishing their new policyin an effort to fabricate a thaw in inter-Korean relations.

Kim made it clear that her country has no intention of re-engaging with Seoul, adding that “we have clarified on several occasions that we have no will to improve relations” with South Korea. She also lashed out at President Lee Jae Myung’s efforts to rekindle dialogue, describing them as delusional. “It is their foolish calculation that if they manage to make us respond to their actions, it would be good, and if not, their actions will at least reflect their ‘efforts for détente’… and they will be able to shift the responsibility for the escalation of tensions onto the DPRK and win the support of the world,” Kim said.

In response to Kim Yo-jong’s remarks, South Korea said, “The government will consistently pursue normalization and stabilization of ties between South and North Korea in a way that can become mutually beneficial.”

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