People Power Party: "Is North Korea's 'Sorry' Just a Hollow Apology to End the Matter?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party criticized the remarks made by Democratic Party lawmaker Seol Hoon regarding the Yeonpyeong Island shelling incident, raising their voices by saying, "Are we going to say it's all over just because the North said 'we are very sorry' and gave a superficial excuse?"

Hwang Gyu-hwan, deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, said in a statement on the 25th, "This is a statement that cannot be understood by ordinary common sense."

This was in response to lawmaker Seol appearing on YTN Radio's 'Start New Morning' and saying, "Since the situation occurred in the North, there was no way to deal with it. If North Korea apologizes for this incident, it could also help inter-Korean relations."

Deputy spokesperson Hwang said, "It is unbearable to watch a ruling party lawmaker of South Korea, who should be firmer than anyone else against North Korea, siding with the North," and criticized, "Have you ever thought even once about the angry citizens and the bereaved families who are immersed in sorrow?"

He added, "Is it appropriate to say that inter-Korean relations will improve when our people have suffered deaths that are hard to even speak of? And is this incident something that can be ended with a superficial apology?" He questioned, "Now that the North has said 'we are very sorry' and given a superficial excuse, are we going to say that it’s all over as if we have been waiting for this, and that a rosy future awaits?"

Deputy spokesperson Hwang said, "How many more victims must there be, and how many more lives of our people must be lost before we wake up from this dream and recognize the harsh reality?" He pointed out, "Lawmaker Seol said that 'the reactivation of the September 19 military agreement is the lesson from this incident,' but this is a completely distorted interpretation that is far off the mark."