Presidential Office Rebuts Moon's Security Remarks: "Submissive and Quiet Situation Is Not Peace"

Criticism of North Korean Provocations and Other Issues During Progressive Government

On the 19th (local time), the Presidential Office rebutted former President Moon Jae-in's remark that "it is time to break free from the fabricated myth that security and economy are better under conservative governments," stating, "As President Yoon Suk-yeol always says, a superficially calm and peaceful situation is not true peace."

A senior official from the Presidential Office made this statement during a press briefing at the press center set up in New York, USA, criticizing the provocations by North Korea during the progressive governments of Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in.

Former President Moon attended the "5th Anniversary Ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration" held at the 63 Building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th, under the theme "The Power of Peace, The Path of Peace," where he criticized the economic and security situations under past conservative governments and directly targeted the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The official pointed out, "During the Kim Dae-jung administration, there was the absurd incident of stripping and dismissing soldiers who fought and won in the West Sea clash; the first nuclear test occurred during the Roh Moo-hyun administration; and nuclear and missile development accelerated during the Moon Jae-in administration."

The official emphasized, "True peace is peace established through overwhelming power," adding, "Objectively, the standard of judgment will come from what the people feel is more reliable and vibrant peace."

Regarding the possibility of suspending the effectiveness of the September 19 military agreement, the official explained, "Even after the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, North Korea has openly violated the agreement and deliberately provoked us," and "At this point, we are facing and observing the various problems inherent in the military agreement."

He also pointed out, "Especially, the surveillance and reconnaissance assets, as well as the operation of air force and naval power and routine training, which are absolutely disadvantageous to North Korea, have been abnormally restrained by the September 19 agreement," adding, "Even if this agreement is well observed, North Korea does not operate assets it does not have, while we stop what we have been diligently doing, which is a significant problem."

He added, "We will observe what actions North Korea takes and, if necessary, make a judgment at an appropriate time later."

Former President Moon Jae-in is delivering a greeting at the 5th anniversary ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration held at the 63 Building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

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