On June 15, President Moon Jae-in mentioned the current situation in his congratulatory message on the 20th anniversary of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and in other remarks that day.

He outlined the broad principle that both Koreas should avoid setting back the present inter-Korean relationship, which has overcome a crisis that could have escalated into war, and that the South and North should work to address the challenges facing us through communication and cooperation.

Nonetheless, the North – through a statement released by First Vice Department Director Kim Yo Jong of WPK Central Committee–answered with preposterous act of disparaging President Moon’s intent in a rude tone while completely failing to grasp it.

This is tantamount to fundamentally damaging the trust that the leaders of the two Koreas have built up to date. We unequivocally warn that the South will no longer tolerate such senseless words and acts by the North.

Furthermore, the North unilaterally made public our confidential proposal to send a special envoy to the North to help break through the current situation. This constitutes an unprecedented irrational act, and we express deep regret over the North’s deliberate distortion of the purpose behind our proposal to send a special envoy.

North Korea’s recent series of statements and actions are in no way helpful, not even for the North, and the North will have to take full responsibility for their consequences. 

Most of all, North Korea must equip itself with basic courtesy going forward.