North Korea's Kim Yo Jong rejects South Korean medical aid

North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un,denounced on Thursday South Korea's plans to provide medical equipment aid to Pyongyang, calling it a "political provocation" and violation of its sovereignty.



In a statement carried by state media KCNA, Kim criticised Seoul for publicising its efforts to obtain United Nations sanctions exemptions for a medical aid package, saying Seoul had "insulted" North Korea by referring to shortages of medicines and medical equipment and deteriorating health conditions. "



The hostile nature of inter-Korean relations and South Korea's identity can never change," Kim said, adding that North Korea's position is that there is "nothing to give or receive" from South Korea.



Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the North's ruling Workers' Party, said Seoul's aid proposal was intended to showcase South Korea's "goodwill" in contrast to North Korea's rejection of the assistance, calling the effort a politically motivated scheme.



Seoul secured a UN sanctions exemption in May to ship medical equipment worth about $6.8 million to a hospital in Pyongyang, according to South Korean media reports.