President Criticized for 'Inappropriate Remarks'... Joo Ho-young Says "A Person Who Served Prison for Illegal North Korea Remittances..."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in's public criticism of the opposition party's claims surrounding nominee Park Ji-won for the National Intelligence Service (NIS) director is seen as an attempt to block ideological attacks. The United Future Party is emphasizing a 'pro-North Korea and anti-America' frame ahead of the confirmation hearings for nominee Park and nominee Lee In-young for the Ministry of Unification, demanding a shift in North Korea policy.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, visited the press center on the afternoon of the 20th and said, "The opposition party claimed that nominee Park is 'a person colluding with the enemy,'" adding, "President Moon said this was a 'very inappropriate remark.'" Earlier, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, criticized on the 19th during a meeting with reporters, "Can someone who has friendly ties with the enemy be entrusted with the NIS?" President Moon fired back, "No matter how much they are the opposition, how can they say such a thing?" It is unusual for the president to criticize the political remarks of the leader of the main opposition party the next day.

As a result, the sitting president has entered the political debate. President Moon's clear tone in pointing out floor leader Joo's remarks is related to a political strategy to block ideological attacks ahead of the parliamentary confirmation hearings. Supporting the ideological attacks against nominee Park could have the effect of shaking up the situation. The ideological issue can rally conservative voters but may also alienate moderate voters, making it a double-edged sword. The 'war of words' between the Blue House and the main opposition party over nominee Park is closely tied to a strategic battle over the political power dynamics.

Despite the president's criticism, the United Future Party continued its ideological attacks against nominee Park. On the morning of the 21st, floor leader Joo, during a speech representing the negotiation group, said, "The president seems to perceive the NIS as merely a channel for North Korea negotiations," and criticized, "Otherwise, how could someone without expertise and who served a prison sentence for illegal remittances to North Korea be nominated as NIS director?" He added, "Even though policies fail, instead of changing them, looking at the appointments in the unification and security line, it only seems like they are repeating and strengthening those failed policies," pressuring for a shift in North Korea policy. Earlier, on Facebook, he attacked nominee Park, saying, "Deceiving the people, making backdoor deals with North Korea, and doing everything North Korea wants ? is that expertise?"

The United Future Party is also attacking nominee Lee, a key figure in the diplomatic and security line, with an 'anti-America' frame. United Future Party lawmaker Cho Hae-jin criticized the allegations of Lee's children studying abroad in luxury, saying, "What I actually find problematic is not just the money but the government's and ruling party's identical behavior of shouting anti-America and self-reliance since their student activism days," adding, "Yet they send all their children abroad to study, especially to the United States." Earlier, lawmaker Tae Yong-ho also pointed out that North Korea's propaganda outlet 'Uri Minjokkkiri' mentioned high expectations for nominee Lee, questioning, "Is the Ministry of Unification of the Republic of Korea trying to become a ministry that meets the expectations of the Kim Jong-un regime?"

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