Park Ji-won: "North Korea, Our Main Enemy... Should We Shout 100 Times?"

Park Ji-won, nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, appeared at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 27th and responded to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Park Ji-won, the nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, stated on the 27th that North Korea is "our main enemy but also a subject of peace, cooperation, and unification."

At the National Assembly Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing that day, Park said, "Any country that intends to harm the Republic of Korea is our main enemy," expressing this view.

When Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the Future United Party, continued with the question, "Isn't it true that North Korea is the main enemy?" Park responded, "I already said that, don't you remember?" and added, "Should I shout it 100 times here? Or should I do it at Gwanghwamun Square?"

When Joo pointed out, "In 2017, President Moon Jae-in could not answer the question about who the main enemy was during the presidential candidate debate, and you said you doubted Moon's security perspective," Park explained, "That was a political statement."

Regarding his past opposition to and blocking of the North Korean Human Rights Act, Park said, "Our government has contributed a lot to North Korea's basic human rights, but there are issues with intervening in social human rights," adding, "Even if the law is enacted, will North Korea follow it?"

On whether he plans to repeal the Anti-Terrorism Act, which the Democratic Party had opposed in the past, Park said, "No," explaining, "At that time, the National Intelligence Service was involved in domestic politics, which was why we opposed the Anti-Terrorism Act, but now the National Intelligence Service does not intervene in politics."

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