Son Hak-kyu: "President Moon's 'Overhasty North Korea Policy' Worries... Must Align with US and International Community"

"Progressives and Conservatives, Ideology Must Die for Korea to Live"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party, criticized the government's push for individual tourism to North Korea on the 22nd, saying, "I am worried about President Moon Jae-in's reckless approach to North Korea."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Sohn said, "The government's behavior of hastily coming up with measures based on a single word from the president, without any consideration for the lives and safety of our people, is utterly pathetic."

He stated, "Inter-Korean economic cooperation projects for peace on the Korean Peninsula should be actively promoted. However, this must be carried out on the premise of North Korea's denuclearization and cooperation with the international community," adding, "The alliance and cooperative system with the United States is the foundation of our security system. Inter-Korean cooperation without securing our security is not only meaningless but also detrimental to our national interests."

He continued, "President Moon and the government should abandon impatience and reconsider ways to lead North Korea's denuclearization in step with the international community, including the United States."

Sohn said, "Today, to mark the New Year, we changed the backdrop to 'Ideology is Dead,'" adding, "The words may sound a bit strong, but please understand it as a call for the political circles, which have been obsessed with ideology such as left and right, progressivism and conservatism, neglecting people's livelihood and the economy, to awaken and reflect."

Sohn emphasized, "Ideology must die for the Republic of Korea to live. Removing the ideological frame from our politics will open space for pragmatism that solves problems to take root," and said, "The reason I have endured various insults and protected the Bareunmirae Party so far was to preserve the existence of a centrist pragmatic reform party and change the ideological political structure of extreme confrontation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.