Political Circle's 'Kim Jong-un Apology' Becomes Major Issue at Chuseok Dinner Table Public Sentiment

Major Political Issue Emerges Ahead of Chuseok Over 'North Korea Killing Our Official' Incident
Democratic Party: "Different from Before Kim Jong-un's Direct Apology"
Yoo Si-min: "Progress We Hoped For... Like an Enlightened Monarch"
Kim Jong-in: "'Kim Jong-un Chance' to Cover Up Will Spark Public Outrage"

The fishing patrol vessel "Mugunghwa 10," on which Mr. A (47), a public official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' West Sea Fisheries Management Unit who went missing in the northernmost West Sea near Yeonpyeongdo and was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers, was aboard, returned to the West Sea Fisheries Management Unit in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do from Yeonpyeongdo, Incheon, on the morning of the 26th. The photo shows the Mugunghwa 10 anchored in the sea off Yeonpyeongdo early that morning before departure. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The political reactions are divided over North Korea's unusual apology regarding the incident in which a public official A (47) affiliated with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries was killed by North Korean soldiers.

The Democratic Party of Korea, which had planned to hold a plenary session of the National Assembly to adopt a resolution condemning North Korea's killing and mutilation of the body of our public official, is showing a positive evaluation of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's apology. The People Power Party immediately reacted with opposition.

Especially with the upcoming major national holiday Chuseok, the so-called 'Chuseok dining table public sentiment' is drawing keen attention from the political circles regarding which direction it will take.

Right after the incident, there was no change in North Korea's attitude, and public opinion rapidly froze focusing on President Moon Jae-in's response at the time of the shooting of our public official. Now, with Kim Jong-un's apology, the political circles are engaged in debates on how to interpret this.

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is discussing during an emergency briefing on the shooting and killing of our public official by the North Korean side at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Democratic Party: "Noteworthy that Chairman Kim Jong-un directly apologized," Yoo Si-min: "Progress toward what we hoped for... like an enlightened monarch"

On the 25th, Chairman Kim sent a notice to the Blue House stating, "I deeply regret that an unexpected unfortunate incident occurred in our waters, causing great disappointment to President Moon Jae-in and the southern compatriots who are already suffering from the malignant virus (COVID-19) disease," expressing an apology.

Regarding this, Kim Jeong-min, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said in a briefing that afternoon, "The Blue House previously demanded North Korea to clarify the facts, apologize, and prevent recurrence. The immediate response and direct apology from Chairman Kim Jong-un are unprecedented and noteworthy," positively evaluating Kim's apology.

Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, attending the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's current affairs inquiry at the National Assembly, responded to Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young's question, "Has the North Korean supreme leader ever apologized or expressed regret to the citizens and president of the Republic of Korea?" by saying, "This is a very unusual situation," adding, "As far as I know, there has never been a case where the North quickly expressed apologies twice while announcing their position."

On the morning of the 25th, when Kim Jong-un's apology was not yet made, the Democratic Party took a hardline stance. At the Supreme Council meeting that morning, Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, said, "North Korea's anti-civilization and barbaric acts cannot be tolerated for any reason," and announced plans to convene a one-point plenary session to push for a National Assembly resolution condemning North Korea.

Not only the Democratic Party but also ruling party figures continued positive evaluations of Kim Jong-un's apology.

Yoo Si-min, director of the People’s Life Foundation and former labor activist, said at the 10.4 Inter-Korean Summit Declaration 13th anniversary event held via online live broadcast on the 25th, during a discussion on "Causes of Disturbance in the Korean Peninsula Peace Process and Seeking Alternatives," that Kim Jong-un's apology was "good news as it represents some progress toward what we hoped for," referring to Kim as "like an enlightened monarch."

Jeong Se-hyun, senior vice chairman of the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, who appeared together, said, "There is a 'generous' aspect to it."

People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in is speaking at the 1st meeting of the 'Fact-Finding Task Force on North Korea's Atrocities of Shooting and Burning Our Citizens' held at the National Assembly on the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ People Power Party: "If they try to cover up this incident with a 'Kim Jong-un chance,' it will provoke greater public outrage"

In response, Bae Hyun-jin, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement on the 26th, "We want to believe in the sincerity of the Democratic Party, which proposed a one-point plenary session first," adding, "The Blue House also recently stated, 'There is a difference between the North's notice and our intelligence assessment, so we will continue to investigate and clarify the facts.'

She also urged, "Let's hold a plenary session on Monday and conduct an emergency government inquiry according to the National Assembly Act to clearly reveal the truth," calling for the convening of the plenary session as promised.

She pressured, "Kim Jong-un's single expression of regret cannot be an excuse to neglect the National Assembly's duty," emphasizing, "Our citizen was killed. Do not back down. Do not feign ignorance. The ruling party of the Republic of Korea must respond promptly."

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, attended the 'Task Force for Investigating the Truth of North Korea's Killing and Burning of Our Citizens' meeting held at the National Assembly that morning and warned the government and ruling party, "If they try to cover up this incident with a 'Kim Jong-un chance,' it will provoke greater public outrage."

He criticized Kim Jong-un, saying, "This atrocity is a heinous armed provocation in which North Korean soldiers shot our unarmed citizen and horribly burned the body."

He added, "The government still seems to be ignoring the seriousness of the situation," and insisted that the case should be brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and referred to the United Nations Security Council.

Kim also warned again, "If the Moon Jae-in administration suddenly tries to cover up this incident with North Korea's traditional letter and insincere apology, it will be a self-destructive act that digs the grave of the regime."

Cheong Wa Dae Photo by Yonhap News

He further pointed out, "Only when the truth about the so-called 'President's 47 hours' is revealed will the controversy over President Moon's military command authority be resolved," and said, "Reflect on why there are calls for establishing a hotline between the president and Blue House secretaries rather than the inter-Korean hotline now."

Citizens' reactions are also divided. Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "Looking at the facts, our citizen was shot by North Korean soldiers, and Kim Jong-un apologized. Does that mean it's over?" He emphasized, "I hope North Korea shows a responsible attitude rather than just a verbal apology." He added, "I also hope the Democratic Party shows anger over the killing of our citizen, not from a political perspective."

Lee, a worker in his 40s, said, "It is not over just because Kim Jong-un apologized," and added, "I am curious why this happened and whether there were any problems in the process." He criticized, "What would the bereaved families think when they see lawmakers positively viewing the apology?"

Kim, a university student in his 20s, emphasized, "Our citizen was literally shot by North Korean soldiers, and if this is politically interpreted and used as a kind of 'tool' for mutual advantage, many young people will be angered again."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has launched a confidential consultative body involving the ranking members of the National Defense Committee, Intelligence Committee, Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, and the party's strategic planning chairman to clarify the exact facts regarding the North Korean soldiers' shooting of our public official.

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