Jung Sung-ho "Development to Korea-Japan Quasi-Military Alliance Level? Concerns Over Rising Tensions on the Korean Peninsula"

Democratic Party Rep. Jeong Seong-ho SBS Radio Interview
"Yoon's One-sided Concession to Japan... Very Dangerous"

President Yoon Suk-yeol departed for the United States to attend the Korea-US-Japan summit, while Jeong Seong-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed concerns that "the Korea-US-Japan alliance might strengthen the confrontation with North Korea, China, and Russia, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

On the 18th, Jeong appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and said, "I believe military cooperation between Korea, Japan, and the US is necessary through the Korea-US-Japan summit," but he also voiced worries about the Korea-Japan relationship developing into a quasi-military alliance.

Jeong Seong-ho, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

Jeong stated, "What worries me most is that the US Department of Defense has officially labeled the East Sea as the Sea of Japan," adding, "If President Yoon accepts and tolerates this, it could lead to strengthened military exercises between Japan and Korea in the East Sea, and in that context, there are concerns that Japan's encroachment on Dokdo might intensify."

He pointed out, "While Korea and the US have a military alliance, the relationship between Korea and Japan is special," and continued, "Moreover, Japan has not shown any reflection on our historical issues, and in fact, the President has essentially given up on any compensation issues related to our past suffering and the victims of the Korean Peninsula invasion."

He added, "Regarding the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, Japan has effectively allowed its discharge, which I consider a serious problem," and said, "In a situation where Japan is not taking any progressive stance, it seems we are the only ones making unilateral concessions, which I see as very dangerous."

Regarding the decision not to hold separate discussions on the Fukushima contaminated water during the Korea-Japan bilateral talks, he said, "I believe the President already approved the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water at the previous Korea-Japan summit," and criticized, "According to Japanese media reports, the Korean government even requested early discharge to avoid affecting next year's general election, which is a very worrying situation."

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