Ruling and Opposition Parties Emphasize "Korea-US Alliance" on Biden's Election... Differing Approaches to North Korea Policy

Ruling Party: "We Must Advance Peace on the Korean Peninsula and Hold an Early Summit"
Opposition: "We Expect a Return to Principled Korean Peninsula Policy"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Jeon Jinyoung] The National Assembly congratulated Democratic candidate Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and emphasized the South Korea-US alliance. However, regarding North Korea policy, the ruling party stressed "progress in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula," while the opposition party called for a "return to principled policies such as the denuclearization of North Korea," showing a difference in tone.

On the morning of the 9th, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly and expressed expectations for President-elect Biden, saying, "I believe he will heal the division and conflict during the election process and lead the reconstruction of a united America well."

He mentioned Biden's campaign pledges, including ▲carbon emission reduction and expansion of renewable energy ▲labor protection and welfare expansion ▲improvement of healthcare such as Obama Care ▲and increased investment in technology, stating, "This aligns with the path the Democratic Party wants to take. The Democratic Party will also accelerate the expansion of employment insurance and industrial accident insurance, the enhancement of Moon Jae-in Care, and the promotion of the Korean New Deal."

Regarding the South Korea-US alliance, Lee said, "We will strive to make it stronger. We will strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as diplomacy, security, and economic trade." On North Korea policy, he added, "We will prepare in advance to make substantial progress in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula," and "We will actively promote bipartisan diplomacy."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, proposed an early summit between the South Korean and US presidents. Kim expressed expectations, saying, "Close communication is important so that the Korean government's position can be sufficiently reflected during the Biden administration's review of the Korean Peninsula and North Korea policy," and "President-elect Biden, who is experienced and has a deep understanding of the Korean Peninsula issue, could be a new opportunity for progress in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the other hand, Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, held an emergency committee meeting at the National Assembly that morning and said, "The wrong North Korea policies and misjudgments over the past few years have caused North Korea's missile crisis," and "We expect a return to principled Korean Peninsula policies such as the denuclearization of North Korea."

Park Jin, the party's special committee member on foreign affairs and security, who has close ties with President-elect Biden, analyzed, "The Biden administration is expected to shift from the America First policy to emphasizing traditional alliances and multilateral cooperation," and "In that sense, the South Korea-US alliance faces both opportunities and challenges."

He said, "Communication for resolving issues, including the stationing of US troops in South Korea and defense cost-sharing negotiations, is expected to become smoother, but on the other hand, voices demanding participation in China containment by allies in the Asia-Pacific region will grow louder," emphasizing, "South Korea must play a leading role in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation."

Regarding North Korea denuclearization, Park said, "The Biden administration is expected to pursue it strictly based on principles," and "In that sense, a fundamental shift from the submissive North Korea appeasement policy pursued by the Moon Jae-in administration is required." He added, "If the existing wrong policies are pushed unilaterally, the South Korea-US alliance could start off on the wrong foot from the beginning of the new US administration," and "It is necessary to carefully review the direction of policies the Biden administration will pursue and prioritize the process of adjusting differences between the allies from a zero base."

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