"Send a Special Envoy to Pyongyang, I Will Go Too"…Opposition Party Calls for Shift in North Korea Policy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] As North Korea continues to raise pressure on South Korea by warning of military provocations, opposition parties are unanimously criticizing the current government's North Korea policy and calling for a shift in approach. The United Future Party plans to submit a resolution on the 15th urging North Korea to cease provocations, in response to the ruling party's move to propose a resolution calling for a declaration to end the war. Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated, "We should push for the dispatch of a special envoy to Pyongyang," adding, "I am willing to go as a member of the special envoy team."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly main building on the 15th, Ahn said, "If the government deems it necessary and requests it, I am willing to go as a member of the special envoy team." He added, "Considering North Korea’s current attitude, it won’t be easy, but we must mobilize all diplomatic and inter-Korean channels to push for the dispatch of our special envoy to Pyongyang. If necessary, seek cooperation from the opposition as well. National security and inter-Korean issues are not matters for a single party or faction but concerns all of South Korea, and everyone is a stakeholder."

He continued, "It is difficult to understand why the president remains silent at this critical moment," and urged, "I repeatedly call for the convening of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by the president, not just the National Security Office chief." He also raised his voice for the need for an official government-level warning to North Korea, activation of hotlines with the leaders of the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan, and a preemptive public address. Ahn also urged the ruling party to "move beyond the simplistic thinking that leaflet distribution is the main cause of tension," and criticized, "If North Korea’s demand is ‘regime security without giving up nuclear weapons,’ then the Moon Jae-in administration, which cannot resolve this, is no different from the past Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The United Future Party also raised its voice, saying that a tough stance should be shown instead of conciliatory gestures toward North Korea. At the emergency committee meeting that day, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, said, "The government talks about peace, but the basic foundation of peace is the ROK-U.S. military alliance, along with the enhancement of national power and defense capabilities," adding, "It seems North Korea is taking a threatening stance to overcome internal difficulties, but the government must adopt a stronger position regarding inter-Korean relations."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader, said, "Over the past three years, the government has been busy appeasing Kim Jong-un and has remained silent on North Korea’s reform, opening, and human rights issues. The result is the humiliation we face now," and announced, "We plan to submit a resolution urging North Korea to stop provocations today in the name of all lawmakers."

Earlier, Tae, a lawmaker originally from North Korea, posted a statement titled ‘Position on Kim Yo-jong’s Threat’ on Facebook on the 14th, pointing out, "The government’s continued weak and submissive stance could act as a catalyst encouraging reckless behavior by the North Korean regime." Lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung also said, "No matter how strongly the Moon Jae-in administration responds to leaflet distribution, North Korea has not stopped its verbal attacks against South Korea," and added, "We must unite public opinion and respond firmly so that North Korea does not even dare to provoke."

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