Ruling and opposition clash over North Korea-Russia ties: "Democrats, what are you thinking?" vs "Yoon's diplomatic blunder"

People Power Party "Democratic Party Only Criticizes Yoon's Foreign Policy"
Democratic Party "Pro-US-Japan Line Causes North Korea Isolation"

On the 14th, both ruling and opposition parties unanimously condemned the North Korea-Russia summit, which significantly strengthened military cooperation, as an "act threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula," while engaging in a blame game over the previous and current administrations' North Korea policies. The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party for opposing support to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, while the Democratic Party attributed the imbalance in North Korea policy to focusing too much on improving Korea-Japan relations.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held on the 14th, "It was reported that Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, held a summit yesterday and agreed on comprehensive military cooperation," adding, "North Korea is expected to supply conventional weapons such as shells to Russia, which is at war, and receive advanced military technology such as reconnaissance satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles from Russia."

Kim continued, "The world has poured criticism on the blatant devil's bargain made by the two most dangerous leaders in the international community," and criticized, "This is a direct violation of the United Nations Security Council, and Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has violated the resolution, which is an act that cannot be overlooked."

Chosun Central News Agency reported on the 14th that Russian President Vladimir Putin held a banquet on the 13th to welcome North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia. The agency stated that after the banquet, Chairman Kim invited President Putin to visit North Korea, and President Putin gladly accepted the invitation. 2023.9.14 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader, expressed concern, saying, "If this bad deal is concluded, Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, rejecting Security Council sanctions could lead to the neutralization of minimal control measures over North Korea," and added, "Considering that (Russia's) technological support will lead to improvements in North Korea's missile capabilities, this poses a serious threat to our security."

He continued, "I am curious about what the Democratic Party members who criticize the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's foreign policy by saying that Ukraine is a country we do not owe anything to and questioning what we gain by being dragged into their war unrelated to us think about the North Korea-Russia summit," pointing out, "The Democratic Party's heartless claims while supporting Ukraine are narrow-minded, like frogs in a well who cannot see beyond their own perspective."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the hunger strike tent in front of the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He added, "The major opposition party, the Democratic Party, is solely focused on protecting its leader Lee Jae-myung amid various judicial risks," and urged, "I hope the Democratic Party stops attempts to manipulate public opinion on contaminated water discharge for political gain and joins efforts to protect the safety of the people."

On the other hand, Park Kwang-on, leader of the Democratic Party, pointed out that the responsibility for the North Korea-Russia military cooperation strengthening, which poses a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula and international situation, lies with the rigid foreign policy of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

Park said, "It is a misstep brought about by the Yoon administration's rigid North Korea policy and unbalanced foreign policy," and criticized, "It is the result of a diplomatic approach that focused on improving Korea-Japan relations while neglecting the people's health and environmental rights and losing historical perspective." He added, "The Korea-U.S.-Japan-centric diplomatic line, severance with North Korea, and unilateral system alone cannot manage peace on the Korean Peninsula and stability in Northeast Asia."

He continued, "We must maintain balance amid concerns of a new Cold War," emphasizing, "On the foundation of strengthening the Korea-U.S. alliance, there is Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and the northern policy line continues with China and Russia policies. Regardless of progressive or conservative governments, the diplomatic lessons accumulated by successive administrations must never be taken lightly."

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