Opposition Criticizes Suspension of 9·19 Agreement as 'North Wind'... Ruling Party Says "Get a Grip"

People Power Party "Protecting People's Lives and Property... Will Take Any Necessary Measures"
Democratic Party Points Out "Security and Livelihood Should Not Be Sacrificed for Political Purposes"
Kim Ki-hyun Criticizes "Opposition Neglecting Safety and Abandoning Responsibility"

On the 22nd, the People Power Party stated in response to North Korea's launch of the '3rd military reconnaissance satellite' and the government's suspension of part of the 9·19 inter-Korean military agreement, "The People Power Party and the government will take any possible measures to protect the lives and property of the people, democracy, and freedom." They also strongly criticized Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, for referring to this suspension as a 'North wind.'

Park Jeong-ha, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "North Korea has clearly violated the UN Security Council resolutions banning the use of ballistic missile technology," and added, "The People Power Party strongly condemns this launch, which is a provocation not only against the Republic of Korea but the entire international community."

Park Jeong-ha, Member of the People Power Party [Photo by Yonhap News]

Chief Spokesperson Park conveyed, "President Yoon Suk-yeol chaired an emergency NSC standing committee meeting in the UK during his state visit, and at the Cabinet meeting held this morning presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the agenda to suspend the clause restricting reconnaissance capabilities against North Korea in the '9·19 inter-Korean military agreement' was passed, and President Yoon immediately approved it." He added, "Our military and the ROK-US combined forces maintain an ironclad defense posture." He further warned, "North Korea's military provocations will lead to isolation from the international community and economic deterioration, which will only hasten the regime's collapse."

The People Power Party also strongly criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for calling the suspension of the '9·19 inter-Korean military agreement' a 'North wind.' Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "We must not sacrifice security and people's livelihoods for political and strategic purposes," dismissing the suspension of the military agreement as a North wind. Floor leader Hong Ik-pyo also pointed out, calling it a "wrong prescription," that "It is undesirable for the government to make choices that fail to solve problems while only giving North Korea an excuse for provocation and fueling inter-Korean conflict."

In response, Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, told reporters that day, "Neglecting the basic duty of protecting the safety of the Republic of Korea just because it is the opposition party is truly abandoning fundamental responsibilities," and criticized, "The Democratic Party needs to come to its senses."

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