"Declaration of the End of War and UN Sanctions Relief"... Gestures of Reconciliation Toward North Korea Flood from the Democratic Party

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea responded with efforts to promote a declaration to end the war, inter-Korean health cooperation, and proposals to ease UN sanctions on North Korea after North Korea decided to withhold military countermeasures and leave room for dialogue.

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 25th, "North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's decision to withhold military action plans against South Korea is a well-made decision," adding, "Although tensions in inter-Korean relations are easing, a declaration to end the war is essential to end the state of tension and confrontation and transition to an era of permanent peace." He continued, "We must strengthen South Korea's role as a driver and re-promote a declaration to end the war involving the parties concerned. The National Assembly will also do its utmost to support the promotion of the declaration to end the war." He also stated, "Communication and cooperation between the two Koreas must be resumed. To this end, urgent inter-Korean cooperation in the health and medical fields is urged."

Earlier, 173 lawmakers from the ruling coalition announced on the 15th that they would propose a 'Resolution to Urge a Declaration to End the Korean War.' The resolution includes ▲ the prompt implementation of a declaration to end the war by South Korea, North Korea, the U.S., and China ▲ the start of discussions on a legally binding peace agreement ▲ and the achievement of results in denuclearization negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. Kim Kyung-hyup, a Democratic Party lawmaker who co-sponsored the resolution, said, "The declaration to end the war acts as a positive signal for the regime guarantees desired by the North and promotes denuclearization negotiations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Song Young-gil, a member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, appeared on MBC Radio that morning and said, "As the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, I plan to meet with UN sanctions committee members to strongly request partial easing of sanctions for humanitarian aid." He added, "The Korea-U.S. working group is a double-edged sword depending on how it is used. It should not become a form where nothing can be done without U.S. consent by relying on the working group," and said, "When conducting inter-Korean exchange projects, instead of going around various departments such as the Treasury Department, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Commerce to obtain U.S. sanctions exemptions, I think it can be utilized as a one-stop service."

This message from the Democratic Party is interpreted as an attempt to quickly respond to the parts North Korea wants, now that North Korea has stopped its offensive against the South, to create an atmosphere for dialogue. The Democratic Party has interpreted North Korea's hardline measures, such as the demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office, as "because our government did not implement the agreed contents," and has mentioned the necessity of ratifying the Panmunjom Declaration in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the United Future Party continues its hardline stance toward North Korea. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "President Moon Jae-in has an obligation to answer the public's questions about cosmetic peace and the South-North disguised peace show," adding, "Without complete denuclearization of North Korea, the safety of the people cannot be absolutely guaranteed." He emphasized, "Without sincere answers from the Blue House, necessary investigations at the National Assembly level are inevitable." The Democratic Party and the United Future Party are discussing security issues through joint meetings between the ruling and opposition parties until the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee is normalized amid the stalemate in standing committees.

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