Chung Dongyoung Rebuts 'Leak of Classified Information' Allegations: "Excessive Political Maneuvering... Could Be Internal"

Criticizing the Opposition's Calls for Resignation
"Are They Reacting Like There's a Fire at a Hotteok Stand?
They Should Consider the National Interest"

Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young countered growing criticism that his remarks mentioning a uranium enrichment facility in Kusong, North Korea amounted to a "leak of classified information," calling such accusations "excessively political" on April 23.

Yonhap News Agency

After paying a courtesy visit to Park Injun, President of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace (KCRP), at the Cheondogyo Central Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Minister Chung told reporters, "North Korea knows, we know, and the United States knows, and it has already been reported in the news—how can mentioning the location be considered classified?" He further stated that mentioning the Kusong nuclear facility was, in fact, "a responsible warning as a minister."

Minister Chung did not deny that the United States had restricted some intelligence sharing regarding North Korea, including satellite reconnaissance data, in response to his comments. However, he explained, "There have been similar instances intermittently in the past, but they were not publicized and simply passed over. That was in the national interest." He questioned, "Why cause controversy by making this public?" He also raised the possibility of ulterior motives, stating, "Those who caused this issue must have their own intentions." When asked who he was referring to, he replied, "It could be the United States, or it could be someone internal."

Regarding concerns that this controversy could potentially disrupt inter-Korean and U.S.-South Korea cooperation on North Korea, he said, "I do not think this will become a bigger issue."

He also criticized the opposition parties, who have been stepping up calls for his resignation, stating, "On March 6, when the remarks in question were made, they stayed silent, and now they are acting as if it's some major crisis," and questioned, "Does stirring up such controversy and conflict really serve the national interest?"

Minister Chung stressed, "The essence of the issue is the seriousness of the North Korean nuclear threat," and added, "To stop North Korea's nuclear program, sanctions, pressure, and blockades will not work; what is urgently needed is a shift to dialogue and negotiations." In particular, he emphasized, "It is the view of the Ministry of Unification and myself that U.S. President Trump’s visit to China next month should be used as an opportunity to facilitate U.S.-North Korea talks."

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