Jeong Kyeong-doo: "'Defection to the North' Claim by North Korea is Politically Motivated"... What It Means

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo attended the full meeting of the National Defense Committee held at the National Assembly on the 28th, and after completing the work report, he bowed his head in greeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-du analyzed that North Korea's recent claim that a defector who swam across the border was suspected of having the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has a political purpose.

Minister Jeong appeared at the National Assembly Defense Committee plenary meeting on the 28th and said, "Considering various factors, wouldn't the Workers' Party Central Committee Political Bureau have convened an emergency expanded meeting?" He added, "Basically, while emphasizing the risk of COVID-19 spread, there will be a political purpose."

In response to the question from Park Seong-jun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asking, 'Isn't North Korea signaling for quarantine cooperation or improvement of inter-Korean relations?' he said, "I also agree with that part," and added, "However, the background and intention need to be viewed from various perspectives."

North Korea is shifting responsibility by claiming that defectors from South Korea spread COVID-19, and there is an analysis that it intends to receive COVID-19 quarantine support from the international community and South Korea. If the COVID-19 issue within North Korea becomes public, it could serve as an opportunity for inter-Korean quarantine cooperation.

Recently organized diplomatic and security lines, including President Moon Jae-in and nominee for Minister of Unification Lee In-young, are prioritizing health and quarantine cooperation between the two Koreas as the foremost exchange agenda. There is also a scenario being discussed where inter-Korean dialogue is proposed based on this issue, and North Korea responds positively. The government also believes that COVID-19 related support to North Korea is a humanitarian matter, which the United States cannot oppose, and it does not violate sanctions against North Korea.

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