Ahn Cheol-soo: "North Korea's demolition of liaison office is a declaration of the collapse of inter-Korean relations"

"President Moon Appeals to North Korea... But It Becomes a Meager Soliloquy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 17th regarding North Korea’s demolition of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, “The destruction of the Joint Liaison Office, which was regarded as a symbol of denuclearization prospects and inter-Korean cooperation, is, in a word, a declaration of the collapse of inter-Korean relations,” adding, “North Korea’s anti-peace and violent hostile acts will not escape condemnation from the people of the Republic of Korea and the international community.”

At the People’s Party policy seminar “On the National Study Room” held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building that day, Ahn said, “We absolutely cannot tolerate or condone North Korea’s behavior,” and “We strongly condemn North Korea’s actions.”

He pointed out, “It has been confirmed that the controversy over the distribution of leaflets to North Korea was a pretext to accumulate justification,” and “Our government’s submissive appearance, flustered while chasing only the leaflets without properly grasping the essence of the problem, has become a laughingstock.”

He continued, “President Moon Jae-in appealed to North Korea with goodwill and expectations in his June 15th commemorative speech, but the response to the necktie was the demolition of the Liaison Office,” adding, “The president’s appeal became a pathetic monologue on a darkened theater stage.”

Ahn stated, “North Korea does not even blink at the government’s submissive attitude and response,” and “Do they still think that just stopping the distribution of leaflets to North Korea can open the way to improving inter-Korean relations and denuclearization? I can only lament the government and ruling party’s complacent perception.”

Ahn said, “If our government does not show a principled and strong response and action plan, North Korea will not only violate the September 19 military agreement but also escalate the intensity of armed provocations, raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” and “I urge the government to clearly state its position and implement principled and strong countermeasures.”

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