South Korea and North Korea leaders sent ‘personal letters’ to each other this week

South Korea and North Korea leaders sent ‘personal letters’ to each other this week


Korean leaders Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-in exchanged personal letters this week, the North’s state news agency KCNA reported. This file photo shows the two leaders at the end of an inter-Korean summit in 2018.

Pyeongyang Press Corps | Getty Images News | Getty Images

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un responded to a personal letter from outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in this week, the North’s state news agency KCNA reported.

According to KCNA, Moon said he want to make joint declarations from the two sides “the foundation for the reunification” even after he steps down as president. Kim “appreciated the pains and effort taken” by Moon, the report said.

“The exchange of the personal letters between the top leaders of the North and the South is an expression of their deep trust,” KCNA said.

Moon’s spokesperson said the president asked Kim to remain committed to cooperation, and that dialogue should overcome the “era of confrontation,” Reuters reported.

The news comes days after the reclusive North conducted yet another missile test, and weeks before incoming South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration on May 10.

Relations between the two sides initially warmed under Moon, who held three summits with Kim in 2018. But ties deteriorated sharply, and the North threatened military action. It also blew up its joint liaison office with South Korea in 2020.

However, the letters between Moon and Kim do not represent a shift to diplomacy, according to Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. He noted that North Korea has planned military displays.

Still, he said the friendly communication between the two sides is “a reminder that inter-Korean relations are not entirely confrontational and should include dialogue.”



Source

Markets are shrugging off the Israel-Iran conflict. Some strategists warn of complacency
World

Markets are shrugging off the Israel-Iran conflict. Some strategists warn of complacency

Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Getty Images | Getty Images News | Getty Images Global investors may be underpricing the impact of a conflict between Israel and Iran, market watchers warned on Monday, as stocks rallied despite escalating warfare […]

Read More
European markets rebound as Israel-Iran attacks continue; Renault down 6%
World

European markets rebound as Israel-Iran attacks continue; Renault down 6%

European banks, oil stocks lead markets higher European Stoxx 600 banks were 1.3% higher at 9:55 a.m. U.K. time, while oil and gas stocks gained 1.18% as investors took in the latest from the Israel-Iran conflict — which is driving crude oil prices sharply higher and reigniting inflation concerns. Sectors in decline include health-care, down […]

Read More
Shares of Gucci-owner Kering pop 7% on reports Renault’s de Meo to be next CEO
World

Shares of Gucci-owner Kering pop 7% on reports Renault’s de Meo to be next CEO

A Gucci store, operated by Kering SA, in the Sanlitun area of Beijing, China, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.  Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Shares of French fashion house Kering popped 7% on Monday on reports that it has appointed industry outsider Luca de Meo as group CEO. It comes as the owner of […]

Read More