"Beat a mad dog with a stick" Hardline stance from ruling party over North Korea provocation... Will it boost approval ratings?

Criticism from "What is the Democratic Party Doing?" to Discussions on "Independent Nuclear Armament" Hardline Measures Flood In
Analysis Suggests Emphasis on Security Aimed at Rallying Supporters and Increasing Approval Ratings

Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] As security concerns escalate due to North Korea's successive military provocations, the ruling party is raising its voice on security issues. Observers suggest that by criticizing North Korea and the Democratic Party of Korea and urging a tough response to North Korea's nuclear threat, the ruling party is seeking to secure control over state affairs and consolidate its support base. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea is emphasizing livelihood and the economy to differentiate itself.

North Korea carried out a series of military provocations, including artillery fire and short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launches, on the 13th and 14th. In particular, it was revealed that the shelling points were in the maritime buffer zone north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), where artillery fire and maritime maneuvering exercises are prohibited under the September 19 Military Agreement, heightening tensions further. The September 19 Military Agreement, reached in 2018 between then-President Moon Jae-in and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, includes a comprehensive cessation of hostile military acts. Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop emphasized the gravity of the situation on the 16th, stating, "This is a meticulously planned provocation and may be the beginning of a series of intentional provocations."

The ruling party condemned North Korea's indiscriminate provocations while criticizing the Democratic Party's passive response. On the 16th, Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, posted on his Facebook, "Why did former President Moon endure insults like 'boiled small head laughing out loud' for five years while only watching the Kim Jong-un-Kim Yo-jong siblings' moods? In this grave security situation, why does the Democratic Party not utter a word against North Korea and refuse to join the resolution condemning the North Korean nuclear threat?" He urged the opposition to deliver a clear message on North Korea. The People Power Party announced on the 17th the launch of a 'North Korean Nuclear Crisis Response Task Force (TF)' to actively prepare for military provocations.

As the need for a tough response to North Korea's nuclear threat arises, some candidates for the next party leadership have even raised the idea of 'nuclear armament.' They argue that the government should deploy tactical nuclear weapons or develop nuclear weapons to maintain security balance. On the 16th, Representative Kim Ki-hyun wrote on Facebook, "It is a critical time to secure a 'bold self-defense capability' that can more reliably protect the lives and safety of the people." Representative Cho Kyung-tae held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office the same day, raising his voice, "A stick is the medicine for a mad dog. We must push for nuclear development to protect the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea even now."

There is analysis that the ruling party's focus on security issues aims to consolidate its support base. According to a survey conducted by Korea Gallup from the 11th to 13th among 1,002 adults nationwide aged 18 and over, party support stood at 38% for the Democratic Party and 32% for the People Power Party, reversing the previous week's 1% point lead held by the People Power Party. (For detailed information on the poll, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.)

In the same survey, regarding strategies for North Korea's provocations, 43% of the ruling party's supporters answered "continue pursuing peaceful and diplomatic solutions," while 47% said "peaceful and diplomatic solutions are ineffective, so military solutions are necessary." This contrasts sharply with the overall respondents, where 67% supported peaceful and diplomatic solutions and 25% supported military solutions. It is interpreted that the ruling party is trying to take the lead on security issues and boost approval ratings by considering the tendencies of its security-sensitive supporters.

Concerns have also been raised within and outside the party that discussions on North Korea policy should not become excessively hardline. Representative Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party, former chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, pointed out on his Facebook on the 15th, "Considering the Korea-US relationship and international political dynamics, independent nuclear armament is not an easy proposal," and stressed the need to seek alternatives such as the Korea-US nuclear sharing agreement. Deputy Defense Minister Shin Beom-cheol also drew a line on the claims for redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons during a YTN radio interview that day, stating, "The basic position is to enhance nuclear deterrence against North Korea through the US extended deterrence."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to criticize North Korea's violation of the September 19 Military Agreement but focus more on livelihood and economic issues rather than security. This is interpreted as an attempt to prevent discussions from concentrating on security issues, which are relatively favorable to the ruling party, and to shift the framing. On the 15th, senior spokesperson Ahn Ho-young stated in a written briefing, condemning North Korea's artillery fire in the buffer zone, while criticizing the People Power Party, saying, "North Korea's provocations should not be used as a tool for political attacks," accusing them of spreading anxiety during the crisis.

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