Also Mentioning the 'End-of-War Declaration'... Ruling Party: "Let's Break the Cycle of Tragic Repetition" vs Opposition: "Fear of Obsession with the End-of-War Declaration"

President Moon: "Declaration of the End of War, the Start of Peace on the Korean Peninsula... Let's Cooperate Between Korea and the US"

President Moon Jae-in is holding a video meeting with social service care workers at the Blue House on the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The ruling and opposition parties are showing mixed reactions to President Moon Jae-in's renewed emphasis on a Korean Peninsula end-of-war declaration on the 8th. While the ruling party defended President Moon, saying, "We must not give up on pushing for the end-of-war declaration especially at times like this," the opposition criticized the statement as premature, coming just half a month after a South Korean citizen was killed by North Korean gunfire.

Earlier, President Moon, in his keynote speech at the Korea Society's virtual annual dinner for Korea-US exchange, stated, "The end-of-war declaration is truly the beginning of peace on the Korean Peninsula," and expressed hope that "both countries will cooperate for the Korean Peninsula end-of-war declaration and lead the active participation of the international community."

Voices supporting the end-of-war declaration are also emerging within the Democratic Party. Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young said in a written briefing that day, "The end-of-war declaration is the strongest means to eliminate threats to the lives and safety of our people."

He added, "The shooting of our civilians by North Korea starkly revealed the tragedy of the division of the Korean Peninsula. We offer deep condolences to the victims and endless comfort to the bereaved families and the public," but also said, "Especially in such a grave time as now, we must not give up on pushing for the end-of-war declaration. We cannot give up."

He continued, "Now is the time to break this vicious cycle of tragedy. It is too harsh to burden our descendants with half-hearted peace," and said, "The end-of-war declaration is the strongest means to eliminate threats to the lives and safety of our people, such as the recent shooting incident. It is the only way to normalize all abnormalities."

He urged the People Power Party, saying, "As a public party, please immediately stop reckless allegations regarding diplomacy and security," and emphasized, "There can be no division between ruling and opposition parties when it comes to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. I hope you will join forces so that the 'Resolution to Urge the Korean Peninsula End-of-War Declaration' can be promptly passed in the 21st National Assembly."

President Moon Jae-in is listening to the experiences and difficulties of care workers at the 'Social Service Agency Care Workers Video Meeting' held at the Blue House on the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Song Young-gil, chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and a member of the Democratic Party, also said on his Facebook that day, "As the South and North confront and conflict, and as tensions on the Korean Peninsula rise, we must not stop our journey toward peace."

He said, "The ultimate denuclearization of North Korea can be pursued along with the end-of-war declaration, normalization of North Korea-US relations, and the conclusion of a peace agreement," adding, "To prevent a second civilian killing incident, the legal state of war between South and North Korea, that is, the armistice state, must be converted into a peace agreement to end the war."

Democratic Party member Ahn Min-seok also welcomed President Moon's end-of-war declaration. Quoting the president's remarks on his Facebook, Ahn said, "Many civilians have been sacrificed at the border between South and North even after the Korean War. As long as the armistice situation continues, the tragedy will continue," and added, "As the president said in his speech today, 'The war on the Korean Peninsula must be completely and permanently ended' to permanently end the sacrifices of our people."

He also emphasized, "Despite many difficulties, trust and dialogue between the South and North leaders seem to be continuing," and said, "Especially at times like this, let's talk about the end-of-war declaration."

On the other hand, the opposition parties strongly opposed President Moon's remarks on the end-of-war declaration. Yoon Hee-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "In the midst of this, President Moon Jae-in mentioned the 'end-of-war declaration' again. I feel not only sadness but even fear at the president's endless obsession with North Korea, peace, and the end of war."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also criticized, saying, "Denuclearization has long been missing, and even when our citizens are shot and burned, the president only has the end-of-war declaration and fake peace in his mind."

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