"Historic Cooperation" VS "Doll Diplomacy"... Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Korea-US-Japan Summit Debate

With "Diplomatic Achievements"
Opposition "No Sign of National Interest"

On the 21st, the ruling and opposition parties gave contrasting evaluations regarding the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit held at Camp David in the United States. The People Power Party emphasized that a historic agreement was reached among the three countries in the fields of economy and security, while the Democratic Party harshly criticized it as "supporting diplomacy" without the primary principle of diplomacy, 'national interest.'

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, evaluated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "Security and economic cooperation are writing a new history beyond an upgraded level of change." He added, "South Korea has taken the first step to stand tall as an autonomous rule maker, not a dependent rule taker, in the international community." He explained that the South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint statement included new security cooperation measures such as the establishment of a regular consultative body in the spirit of Camp David.

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He also criticized the Democratic Party for belittling the diplomatic achievements of this South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit. He said, "Despite being treated coldly in China, eating alone, and suffering subjugation, our people were killed and marginalized by the North Korean regime, yet the Democratic Party shamelessly fabricated this as a defection to the North." He pointed out, "The Democratic Party, which should take responsibility, should be writing a letter of reflection, but instead, it unconditionally criticizes and belittles President Yoon's diplomacy that maximizes national interest. It seems the Democratic Party has decided to remain a perennial opposition party."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, also stated at the meeting, "There is no doubt that the biggest beneficiary of the South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation system is our Republic of Korea, which is directly threatened by nuclear missiles from North Korea." He criticized, "Despite the Yoon Seok-yeol administration achieving another great accomplishment that guarantees the country's peace and prosperity, the Democratic Party is busy distorting and belittling the achievements."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the other hand, the Democratic Party launched a fierce offensive, saying that no substantial national interest was secured and calling it "supporting diplomacy." Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, harshly criticized at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "Due to President Yoon's incompetence, the primary principle of diplomacy, 'national interest first,' has collapsed."

In particular, Lee pointed out the controversy over the East Sea notation. He said, "Protecting territory is the president's duty entrusted by the people," and criticized, "At this summit, the president should have strongly raised the issue to the U.S. that 'the East Sea is the East Sea, not the Sea of Japan.'" He added, "I urge correction to the East Sea without delay," and "I hope Dokdo will not be left lonely inside the Sea of Japan."

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