In the midst of mounting military tensions between the two Koreas, North Korea has further raised its level of criticism of the new South Korean Minister of Unification Hyun In Taek.

North Korea, whenever new Ministers of Unification take up their post, adopts a harshly critical attitude so as to “tame” the new Minister. This time, less than a month after Hyun’s unofficial designation a total of close to 30 incidents of criticism have been observed.

According to “Uriminzokkiri,” an online portal on North Korea, the Tongil Shinbo called Minister Hyun’s inaugural address an “anti-unification sophistry,” further claiming, “inter-Korea relations cannot be resolved as long as Hyun, who has a conservative right-wing plan for unification, is in power,” in its most recent edition.

Hyun proposed as the relevant principles for South Korea’s unification policy during his inaugural address on the 12th: ▲North Korean denuclearization and humanitarian aid ▲North-South unconditional dialogue, and ▲ pursuit of the establishment of international support to resolve inter-Korean problems.

Tongil Shinbo launched an offensive in an article titled “The sophistry of a person soaked in a confrontational mentality,” saying, “He [Hyun] is a figure who is completely disinterested in the unification of the fatherland and the North-South relations’ issue. He is an anti-unification proponent who resolutely believes in confrontation within one family.”

It continued its offensive, saying, “Neglecting the clear reality of deepening military tensions on the Chosun (Korea) peninsula and the near complete breakdown of inter-Korean relations, engaging in sophistry such as the ‘coexistence of North and South’ and a ‘mutual prosperity policy’ for peace between the two Koreas is an inexcusable blasphemy against the brethren who want unification.”

In particular, regarding Hyun’s statement at a press conference immediately after his inauguration, which noted, “’Vision 3000: Denuclearization and Openness’” can be included in a policy of coexistence and mutual prosperity,” the Tongil Shinbo maintained, “That is a plain expression of an anti-Republic (North Korea) undertaking.”