Kim Dong-yeon Criticizes US-ROK Talks Twice a Day: "Only State Dinner Left, National Interest Disappeared"

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 27 Apr.2023 18:31(KST)

Text and photo posted by Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, on his SNS on the 27th

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon harshly criticized once again through his social media service (SNS) on the 27th, following the '4.27 Panmunjom Declaration 5th Anniversary Academic Conference,' stating that South Korea was nothing more than an economic bystander in the recent South Korea-US summit.

Governor Kim posted on his SNS under the title "South Korea's economy was nothing more than a bystander," saying, "Five years ago, there was the Panmunjom Declaration where the leaders of North and South Korea met, and yesterday there was the so-called 'Washington Declaration' between the South Korea and US leaders," and criticized, "These declarations, which are polar opposites, were made with a five-year time gap."

He continued, "The content touted as achievements in strengthening nuclear non-proliferation is more likely to worsen conflicts and crises rather than resolve them," adding, "It could create a vicious cycle where North Korea repeatedly rushes toward nuclear advancement. The so-called achievements are nothing but 'rhetoric' and an overblown verbal feast."

He then questioned, "What about the economy?" and pointed out, "During my recent trip to the US, I emphasized that this South Korea-US summit should have been an 'economic summit,' and that issues such as the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) and the CHIPS Act needed to be resolved at this summit."

However, he stated, "The joint declaration only appreciated efforts to address these issues and mentioned that the two leaders will continue consultations, but there was no substance," and claimed, "As a result, the economy was nothing more than a bystander."

Governor Kim also said, "Only the state banquet remains from this summit, while national interests have disappeared," and added, "Watching this South Korea-US summit, which yielded no achievements in either economy, security, or peace, I recall the value of the Panmunjom Declaration five years ago, which achieved a substantial agreement for peace."

Furthermore, he promised, "Gyeonggi Province has the longest border area with North Korea," and "We will start with small actions like the 'DMZ Open Festival,' which focuses on peace and ecology. Gyeonggi Province will carry on the values, principles, and spirit of the 4.27 Panmunjom Declaration."

He also delivered a sharp message to the current government, saying, "When I was Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, during times when tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia shook the country's credit rating, I visited three international credit rating agencies to prevent a downgrade, and I once summarized what I realized in one phrase: peace is economy."

Earlier that day, Governor Kim attended the '4.27 Panmunjom Declaration 5th Anniversary Academic Conference: Calling for the Spring of Peace' held at the Korea Exchange Conference Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, where he pointed out, "This South Korea-US summit became a summit where national interests disappeared and the economy was only a bystander."