Bae Jin-kyo, "Will Propose Resolution Urging Suspension of ROK-US Joint Military Exercises"

Resumption of ROK-US Joint Exercises Triggers 'North Korean Backlash, International Community's Tough Response' Vicious Cycle Repeats

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 23rd, Bae Jin-gyo, a member of the Justice Party, announced that he will propose a National Assembly resolution urging the suspension of the ROK-US joint military exercises, warning that resuming the exercises could lead to a vicious cycle once again.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the same day, Representative Bae said, "If the ROK-US joint military exercises resume, I deeply worry that we will fall back into a vicious cycle due to North Korea's backlash and the international community's strong response. Therefore, I intend to propose a resolution urging the suspension of the ROK-US joint military exercises and the resumption of the Korean Peninsula peace process."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Representative Bae expressed concern over North Korea's unveiling of advanced weapons and its declaration to enhance nuclear capabilities and strengthen military power at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea last January, calling it an act that goes against the Korean Peninsula peace process. However, he noted that North Korea stated a "strong against strong, preemptive against preemptive" stance toward the United States, while toward the Republic of Korea, it said it would "respond according to the extent to which agreements are implemented," evaluating that "the responsibility for determining the situation has been passed to South Korea and the United States." He added, "If the ROK-US joint military exercises, which are imminent under the habitual justification of 'strengthening the alliance,' resume, it is obvious that the tiresome vicious cycle of North Korea's backlash and the international community's strong response will continue."

Representative Bae pointed out that the ROK-US joint military exercises are a setback to the Korean Peninsula peace process, diagnosing that "this is a transitional period where both dialogue and confrontation possibilities coexist."

He continued, "Suspending the ROK-US joint military exercises will induce North Korea to choose dialogue instead of provocation and will lay the groundwork for resuming the Korean Peninsula peace process aimed at denuclearization and establishing a peace regime," adding, "I strongly urge our government to take all possible measures and actions to achieve this."

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