[Summary] "Where is it not a bomb explosion?" Song Young-gil's remarks cause widespread controversy... United Future Party backlash

United Future Party "This is too much"... Jin Joong-kwon "Highly appreciate the sense of humor"

Song Young-gil, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 16th, Song Young-gil, chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy by saying about North Korea's demolition of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, "Isn't it something that they didn't blow it up with artillery?"

The opposition party immediately reacted, and former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized, "What on earth are you talking about? Is there any country that uses cannons to dismantle buildings?"

After the full meeting of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that day, Rep. Song told reporters, "North Korea did as it had announced," adding, "It seems they wanted to show that it was not an empty threat." He said, "Isn't it something that they didn't explode it with artillery?"

The remark drew strong criticism from the opposition. Hwang Gyu-han, deputy spokesperson of the United Future Party, said in a written statement, "This statement, which disregards the public's anxiety and national security, is suspicious and even more inappropriate for the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee," adding, "Which country's lawmaker is this? Even though Chairman Song has defended North Korea, this is going too far."

On the afternoon of the 16th, the Kaesong Joint Liaison Office building is being blown up. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also joined the criticism of Chairman Song. On the same day, he posted on his Facebook along with an article reporting Song's remarks, saying, "I highly appreciate Rep. Song's optimistic attitude toward life and his creative sense of humor." He sarcastically added, "It's really fortunate (as Rep. Song said) that North Korea didn't use artillery."

Jin said, "Political reform has gone down the drain, prosecution reform has failed, and inter-Korean relations have passed the starting point and turned negative," adding, "Once the 'K-quarantine' nationalistic pride effect disappears, we will have to face the painful economic reality soberly."

Amid the controversy, Chairman Song posted a clarification on his Facebook and condemned North Korea's demolition. He said, "Acts that threaten the lives and property of the people of the Republic of Korea by force cannot be tolerated. The Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office is clearly the property of the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "Whether North Korea blows it up with artillery or dynamite, destruction of the Republic of Korea's property can never be tolerated," and added, "We strongly criticize North Korea's use of force and urge our government to respond strongly to any further provocations from the North."

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