野 "Kang Kyung-hwa's US Visit, Inappropriate Timing" vs 與 "First Crack Down on Min Kyung-wook"

Minister Kang to Depart for the US on the 8th for Talks
People Power Party Criticizes Minister Kang in Statement
Song Young-gil Points Out "Lack of Diplomatic Knowledge"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is departing for the United States through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the 8th.
Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] The Democratic Party of Korea has rebutted the People Power Party's criticism of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's visit to the United States, questioning whether they are "qualified to criticize."

Earlier, on the 8th, People Power Party spokesperson Bae Jun-young issued a statement titled "Minister Kang's Pitiful and Dangerous Diplomacy," saying, "Minister Kang's visit to the U.S. is inappropriate in many ways. The biggest problem is the inappropriate timing," and criticized, "With the Democratic Party candidate winning and current President Trump disputing the election results, how would the incoming administration feel if the current government’s Secretary of State meets with them during this period?"

In response, on the morning of the 9th, Democratic Party senior spokesperson Choi In-ho released a statement saying, "Minister Kang's visit to the U.S. is a routine matter to discuss Korea-U.S. issues at the invitation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo," and questioned, "Is the People Power Party really qualified to make such criticisms?"

Senior spokesperson Choi pointed out, "Former People Power Party lawmaker Min Kyung-wook held a one-person protest in front of the White House last month, claiming the April 15 general election in the Republic of Korea was fraudulent, and now he is raising suspicions of election fraud regarding the U.S. presidential election results. This is truly shameful," suggesting that Min’s actions could become problematic.

He then urged the People Power Party, "Before criticizing the government's diplomatic efforts, you should first discipline your own party."

Senior spokesperson Choi also emphasized, "Since this could escalate into a diplomatic issue, it should not be dismissed as a personal deviation but rather addressed with responsible measures as a political party."

He added, "With Democratic candidate Joe Biden's election, Korea-U.S. policy is reaching a new turning point. Although it is a sensitive time during the transition of power, it is also a good opportunity to create new possibilities," calling for cooperation from the People Power Party.

Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil, who chairs the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, also criticized the People Power Party’s statement as "ignorant of diplomacy."

On the same day, appearing on MBC Radio’s "Kim Jong-bae’s Focus," Chairman Song said, "Until January 20 next year, the U.S. president is Trump. We have to work with the Trump administration," and pointed out, "The transition team must play an important role in handing over various matters from the previous administration, so it is natural to go."

Meanwhile, Minister Kang departed for the U.S. on the 8th to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Minister Kang will visit Washington, D.C. for four days until the 11th and hold a Korea-U.S. foreign ministers’ meeting with Secretary Pompeo on the 9th. This meeting is the first face-to-face meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally, Secretary Pompeo was scheduled to visit Korea in early October, but the schedule was canceled after U.S. President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19. Subsequently, instead of Pompeo visiting Korea, Minister Kang was invited to the U.S.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the two ministers will have in-depth discussions to reaffirm the strong Korea-U.S. alliance through continued strategic communication between the two countries, and to discuss cooperation measures for the denuclearization and peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula and strengthening the Korea-U.S. alliance.

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