SEOUL: The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has derided South Korea's conservative president for being 'foolishly brave' but called his liberal predecessor 'very smart' — rhetoric likely meant to help stoke domestic divisions in South Korea.

Her statement Tuesday came as a response to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's New Year's Day address, in which he said he would bolster South Korea's military capability and enhance its alliance with the United States to cope with North Korea's evolving nuclear threats.