Jung Se-hyun: "Government Was Slow to Respond to North Korea... Not Just Doing What North Korea Orders"

Jeong Se-hyun, Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] As North Korea issued a statement condemning the distribution of leaflets to the North, the government announced plans to enact laws banning such activities, prompting criticism that the government reacted too quickly. In response, Jeong Se-hyun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, said, "It is not a sudden and immediate reaction but rather a delayed response."

On the 5th, in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Senior Vice Chairman Jeong said, "The fact that our government responded within four hours does not mean we are acting because North Korea ordered us to."

That day, Senior Vice Chairman Jeong explained, "At the Panmunjom Summit on April 27, 2018, we reached an agreement not to distribute leaflets to the North, and this was included in the written agreement. From the perspective of implementing this, the government should have responded by enacting laws, but in fact, it is a late response."

He added, "Since leaflets were distributed again in April this year, the Ministry of Unification has been considering creating laws to implement the April 27 declaration. When the condemnation of leaflet distribution came out yesterday morning, it was actually a sign that we were already preparing."

Senior Vice Chairman Jeong also commented on North Korea's First Deputy Director Kim Yo-jong's strong criticism of our government, saying, "North Korea's political culture idolizes the supreme leader and highlights him as an infallible figure while governing society. Since leaflets were distributed using words that upset Chairman Kim Jong-un, those below cannot remain silent?at least to show loyalty."

He continued, "The content of the leaflets distributed on the 31st was very provocative to the North. They described Chairman Kim Jong-un as a 'ruffian.'"

Senior Vice Chairman Jeong stated, "Our country is a democracy with freedom of expression, but North Korea is a unique society where such things are not allowed. In North Korea, there is a culture that cannot tolerate challenges to the supreme dignity," adding, "Today, Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon can go in front of the Blue House and say 'That guy Moon Jae-in,' and that is freedom of expression, but in North Korea, that is not allowed."

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