The North Korean media have reported on a positive response from residents in regards to the historic summit meeting between Chairman Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump. Some North Koreans have been quoted as saying that the talks were the result of Kim Jong Un’s resolute decision and appear to be hopeful for change in the future.
“The details and photos of the US-NK summit in the June 13 issue of the Rodong Sinmun has been the talk of the town among officials in the Workers’ Party, military, and government, as well as students and employees at universities. Young people are brimming in anticipation of reunification,” a source based in Ryanggang Province said during a telephone conversation with Daily NK on June 13.
A source in South Pyongan Province added, “People who read the Rodong Sinmun on smartphones are going over every detail of the talks and making predictions on what changes will happen to our country in the future. Some students have shown positive reactions to the result of the summit, saying, ‘In the 21st century, we will have the opportunity to enjoy culture and civilization like other countries.'”
“The Rodong Sinmun hasn’t arrived today (June 13), so none of the residents know the details of the Supreme Leader’s talks with the US, but we were able to obtain some information through the marketplace, which serves as the most reliable source of news. The main concern amongst residents is whether the economy will improve,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un is being increasingly praised for the US-NK summit, according to the source, who explained that after the Panmunjeom Declaration, expectations of economic cooperation and revitalization increased in every region.
“The popular saying that ‘If a man spends all his father’s wealth carelessly, his son will be left to starve’ has become something of the past, as the situation seems to have turned around,” a source in North Hamgyong Province said.
“Some university students said that the President of the United States did not look as satisfied as the Supreme Leader, who was smiling in the pictures taken at the summit. Just like the saying ‘You can know what is on the inside by looking at the outside,’ Trump’s grim expression is proof that he does not have a cheerful heart.”
“The U.S. President’s lack of expression and the way he had his hands politely folded together, unlike the Supreme Leader (Kim Jong Un) who had his arms on the chair while smiling, proves that he is not satisfied. Most university students and residents agree with this and many have said that ‘the Supreme Leader made the decision of the century for the North Korean people,” the source continued.
“Nowadays, even students are expressing their satisfaction with the summit and saying, ‘Our country, despite being very small compared to the US, stood proudly next to the US as equals and engaged in dialogue on the international stage,’” he added.
“There’s talk among students and younger people that the North Korean flag at the summit venue looked even brighter next to the American flag. Some residents have said that the American flag evoked hatred when viewed separately but were surprised when they realized the flags of the two nations shared the same color.”
The North Korean media highly praised the June 12 US-NK summit as ‘a meeting of the century that pioneered a new history of US-NK relations’ and extensively covered related news. The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, devoted pages one through four to articles and photos related to the summit.
