North Korea disbands organizations in charge of civilian exchanges with South Korea

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on January 13 that the country will disband organizations in charge of civilian exchanges with South Korea.

The decision was made at a meeting of North Korean officials on January 12 to implement a "policy shift" towards South Korea, following the directive of leader Kim Jong-un at an important meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea last month.

According to KCNA, all relevant organizations in North Korea, including the Korean Committee for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration, the Inter-Korean Alliance for the Reunification of the Two Koreas, the National Reconciliation Advisory Council and the Tangun National Reunification Council, will be reorganized.

North Korea is changing the way it handles relations with South Korea, making adjustments to policy and government agencies that could include having the Foreign Ministry take over relations with South Korea.

Relations between the two Koreas are escalating as the South Korean and US militaries have just conducted a series of military exercises, leading to a reaction from Pyongyang.

The North Korean military fired more than 200 artillery shells into the sea off its west coast. South Korea then conducted live-fire drills on two border islands.