End-of-Term Summit? Ruling Party Calls It an "Opportunity," Conservative Opposition Says "Stop the Show"

Possibility of a Summit Meeting Drawing Global Attention Ahead of the Presidential Election

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] As a breakthrough for improving inter-Korean relations is expected to be made during President Moon Jae-in's term, the political circles are showing contrasting attitudes. The ruling party leadership and presidential candidates unanimously welcome it and intend to support future inter-Korean talks. On the other hand, the conservative opposition criticizes and checks by saying that North Korea must apologize first or that it is a 'show' ahead of the presidential election.

On the 28th, Seol Hoon, chairman of the election countermeasures committee of Lee Nak-yeon’s camp and a Democratic Party lawmaker, appeared on BBS Radio and, when asked about the possibility of an inter-Korean summit, replied, "By the end of the year, if the situation overcomes COVID-19, a situation equivalent to a summit may come, and there may be corresponding changes between North Korea and the U.S. as well."

Earlier, Yoon Gun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker who previously served as the head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination under President Moon, said in a media interview the day before, when the host mentioned, "There is an analysis that the Beijing Winter Olympics in February next year is the right time for an inter-Korean summit," "It can be seen that way. Just like how the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics created an opportunity to regain the lost 10 years of inter-Korean relations."

The Beijing Winter Olympics is scheduled to open on February 4 next year, and the presidential election day is March 9. If the inter-Korean summit materializes as expected, it will be a big event attracting attention not only on the Korean Peninsula but also worldwide, just one month before the presidential election. The ruling party will ride the favorable wind.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung said on Facebook, "I hope that inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. talks will resume soon and that the day will come to seriously discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a peace regime," and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon also said, "I hope another opportunity for inter-Korean relations will be created during President Moon Jae-in’s term."

The conservative opposition expresses a positive stance on the restoration of communication lines but emphasizes a firm attitude toward North Korea. Former lawmaker and presidential candidate Yoo Seung-min said, "I am worried that people are making too much fuss over just one phone line being connected," adding, "If they only put on a promotional show at the end of the term, no citizen will be fooled. Since it is an outgoing administration, I demand talks that the next government can inherit."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, after touring Busan Jagalchi Market the day before, told reporters, "We need to assert our position more actively regarding the Kaesong liaison office explosion and the killing of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official," and added, "For inter-Korean relations to develop, both sides need to speak frankly, but if that does not happen and they only try to gauge the other side’s mood, what significance does the hotline restoration have?" Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung also said, "Peace is not achieved by words alone. Especially, peace does not come from Kim Jong-un’s goodwill."

People Power Party lawmaker Tae Young-ho said, "We need to examine whether North Korea is trying to influence the presidential election next year by holding various event-type activities after restoring inter-Korean communication channels," and Kwon Seong-dong, a prominent 'pro-Yoon Seok-youl' member of the same party, pointed out, "Just like before the local elections three years ago, I cannot shake off the suspicion that this is another 'show' to use inter-Korean relations for domestic politics ahead of next year’s presidential election, a transparent act."

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