"National Prestige Overflowing" vs "Exchanged for an Empty Cart Worth 44 Trillion" Outcomes of the Korea-US Summit, Divergent Reactions from Ruling and Opposition Parties

與 "The U.S. More Courteous Than Ever" "Couldn't Be Better"
野 "Less Achievement Compared to Japan" "All Show, No Substance"

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] The ruling and opposition parties gave mixed evaluations regarding the outcomes of the South Korea-U.S. summit. While the Democratic Party of Korea unanimously praised it as a "great achievement," the opposition parties harshly criticized it as a "noisy empty cart" and said they "received only promissory notes instead of actual goods."

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the party's Supreme Council meeting on the 24th that the South Korea-U.S. summit achieved "great results in all areas including security and economy," and evaluated it as "a turning point marking a qualitative and comprehensive change in South Korea-U.S. relations, a strategic inflection point."

Leader Song added, "Above all, South Korea's status has changed," and said, "This was evident in various protocols and courtesies, but it was clearly felt that South Korea has become a key partner discussing global issues such as the U.S.'s global industrial policies and joint vaccine production beyond related agendas."

He also emphasized, "Regarding inter-Korean relations, it was agreed to resolve issues through diplomatic dialogue based on the Panmunjom Declaration and the Singapore Statement. The best content and optimal results came out in North Korea policy."

Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader, also praised, saying, "The May 21 summit will be remembered in history. The national dignity was strongly felt," and "It was an incredible achievement beyond imagination, the best possible outcome. The South Korea-U.S. alliance has evolved by more than two stages."

He added, "President Biden and the U.S. administration, who welcomed President Moon, were more courteous than ever," and urged, "The National Assembly must actively step up to ensure the summit's outcomes are well implemented. The ruling and opposition parties must cooperate in legislation, budget, and policy support."

Kim Yong-min, Supreme Council member, expressed concern about some reports downplaying the summit's achievements. He said, "It seems Japan is trying hard to belittle the South Korea-U.S. summit outcomes. There were also some unfair or erroneous reports from certain media within our country," and pointed out, "Such reporting attitudes seem unwilling to acknowledge our national dignity as an advanced country."

President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Joe Biden are holding a joint press conference after their summit at the White House on the afternoon of the 21st (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, the opposition parties harshly criticized the South Korea-U.S. summit for failing to achieve expected results. Kim Ki-hyun, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the emergency committee meeting that "although companies announced plans for direct investment in the U.S. worth 44 trillion won, no tangible results were ultimately brought," and criticized, "They paid cash and received only promissory notes instead of actual goods."

He continued, "There was no achievement in vaccine procurement that the entire nation was hoping for. Apart from vaccine support for 550,000 South Korean troops, there were no concrete vaccine procurement results," and sharply criticized, "This contrasts with the achievement of Japanese Prime Minister Suga, who secured 100 million doses of vaccines during his visit to the U.S. a month ago."

Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the Policy Committee, also evaluated, "There was no mention anywhere of the much-anticipated vaccine swap," and said, "It is regrettable for the people suffering from the vaccine shortage."

Kim Mi-ae, emergency committee member, said, "It is questionable how many people will sympathize with the president's evaluation of the visit as the 'best result,'" and criticized, "It is not something to boast about just because of the massive 44 trillion won investment." She also took issue with President Moon Jae-in's remark that the summit was more pleasant because it was the 'first no-mask meeting,' saying, "It does not help the people suffering from wearing masks."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, also joined the criticism. At the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Ahn said, "The 44 trillion won investment from the four major companies was exchanged for a noisy empty cart, an underwhelming report card," and belittled it as "Hwihwa Naebin (外華內貧, outwardly splendid but inwardly poor)."

He expressed disappointment, saying, "The vaccine swap we demanded was not realized, and it was very regrettable that we only obtained vaccines for 550,000 South Korean soldiers, which the U.S. needed for military purposes."

Regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, he said, "We must clearly inform the North Korean authorities that the problem cannot be solved by abnormal methods," and demanded, "I hope the government also considers proposing a special envoy to Pyongyang to explain the summit results."

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