Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismisses South Korean president’s latest outreach as hypocrisy

Since taking office in a snap election in June, the liberal Lee has taken steps to lower tensions with the nuclear-armed North, and the issue is one where he is expected to find common ground with Trump, who still boasts of his historic summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Kim Yo Jong, a senior official on the State Affairs Commission, called South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s push for improved ties a “pipe dream,” according to a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency. She accused Lee or trying to create an “amicable image” while hosting a large-scale military exercise with the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said a U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise could "ignite a war" and called for the rapid expansion of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.

Ulchi Freedom Shield will involve 21,000 soldiers in computer-simulated command post operations and field training.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister repeated her dismissal of Seoul's outreach efforts, saying that South Korea "cannot be a diplomatic partner."