"Let's Talk" Government and Ruling Party Show Conciliatory Attitude Toward North Korea Despite Being Called 'Top Fool'...Political Circles Full of Criticism

Yoon Geon-young: "'Top Fool' Is a Conversation Message"
Unification Ministry: "Will Work Silently Like an Ox to Create Peace" with 27 Billion Won Support from Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund
Opposition: "Bizarre Interpretation," Criticizes "Endlessly Shrinking Even to 'Top Mockery'"

Yoon Geon-young, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Ju-hee] Rep. Yoon Geon-young of the Democratic Party of Korea has sparked fierce criticism in political circles by interpreting the recent statement from Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean Workers' Party Vice Department Director, who harshly insulted our government as "special-grade idiots," as "a call for more bold dialogue." The government decided to provide about 27 billion KRW from the 'Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund' just one day after Kim's statement was released on the 14th.

Despite North Korea's hardline remarks toward the South, the government interprets them as 'messages for dialogue' and shows willingness to improve inter-Korean relations, leading to criticism that the government's North Korea policy is steeped in wishful thinking.

On the 15th, in an interview with YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Starting New Morning,' Rep. Yoon was asked about the intention behind Kim Yo-jong's statement that called our government "special-grade idiots." He replied, "If they are going to do it anyway, I think it contains a demand to engage in dialogue more boldly."

Rep. Yoon explained, "Regarding inter-Korean relations, there were expressions of dissatisfaction in a broad sense. There were complaints about unfulfilled promises, but the core is that they are leaving room for dialogue."

Earlier, on the 12th, Kim Yo-jong stated in her message that when our military tried to monitor the parade, "The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff claimed on the night of the 10th that they detected signs of a parade in the North and are conducting precise tracking, which is a ridiculous statement," and added, "It should be called an unhidden expression of the hostile view toward our own people held by the South Korean authorities," according to the Korean Central News Agency on the 13th.

Kim Yo-jong launched a harsh verbal attack on our government, saying, "They only pick actions that make the world laugh, and among those who do not know how to behave properly on the global stage, they are special-grade idiots who would be upset if told to be second best."

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is speaking at the 318th Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council held on the 14th at the Unification Ministry's main conference room in the Government Seoul Office Building. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the government decided to provide a total of about 27 billion KRW from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund for managing Panmunjom tours, operating the Kaesong Industrial Complex Support Foundation, and conducting a survey on separated families.

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 14th that it held the 318th Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council meeting and reviewed and approved funding proposals for seven agenda items from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund.

Specifically, the funds include 8.406 billion KRW for operating expenses of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Support Foundation, 4.776 billion KRW for the first phase of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Peace and Unification Cultural Space project, 800 million KRW for the separated families survey, 4.121 billion KRW for entrusted projects of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Support Association, 3.75 billion KRW for the operation of the Korean Peninsula Unification Future Center, 3.345 billion KRW for the joint compilation project of the Great Korean Dictionary by North and South, and 1.927 billion KRW for integrated management and operation of Panmunjom tours.

Minister of Unification Lee In-young said in his opening remarks at the meeting, "The distancing between North and South must be overcome with a will for cooperation and coexistence for peace," adding, "The government aims not for quick big achievements but to quietly take small steps to make 2021 a turning point for peace."

Yoon Hee-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party. / Photo by Yonhap News

In response, opposition parties have voiced strong criticism toward the government and ruling party. They argue that despite North Korea's hardline remarks and hostile acts, the government maintains a conciliatory attitude and is immersed in wishful thinking.

Yoon Hee-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, released a statement on the 16th saying, "It has been almost four years since the Moon Jae-in administration introduced the 'Korean Peninsula Driver Theory,' but the North Korean nuclear threat remains, and inter-Korean relations have regressed. It is truly futile," and criticized, "Calling for peace without denuclearization is deceiving the people."

Regarding Rep. Yoon's interpretation of Kim Yo-jong's statement as "leaving room for dialogue," the spokesperson called it "a shameless interpretation that no one can understand."

On the same day, Rep. Ha Tae-kyung of the same party targeted Rep. Yoon on his Facebook, saying, "His bizarre imagination only makes me laugh," and sarcastically added, "A person who is a close aide to the president has many ways to embarrass the president."

Rep. Ha further pointed out, "If interpreted like Rep. Yoon, does it mean the opposition can also insult the president as 'special-grade idiots' when they want to talk with him?"

Kim Geun-sik, chairman of the Songpa District Party Committee and professor at Gyeongnam National University, questioned on Facebook on the 15th, "Rep. Yoon Geon-young, who wants to believe only in Kim Yo-jong's goodwill despite 'special-grade ridicule.' Is it a psychological state where he thinks Kim Yo-jong is not at fault even while being insulted? Is he enjoying being abused? Is he being 'gaslighted' by the North?"

Professor Kim added, "No matter how much you are infatuated with the North, you have to understand the words. Are inter-Korean relations a master-servant relationship? It should be a relationship of mutual respect. Why do you become so small whenever you stand before the North?"

Meanwhile, Rep. Yoon rebutted such criticism as 'opposition's reading disorder.'

On the 17th, Rep. Yoon posted on his Facebook, "Rep. Ha Tae-kyung, I am not bizarre; aren't you the one with a reading disorder?" and asked, "Where in my interview did I say 'Kim Yo-jong's special-grade idiot insult is a bold call for dialogue'?"

He added, "My evaluation that it means a bold call for dialogue was made considering the entire 8th Party Congress of North Korea, not Kim Yo-jong's statement alone," dismissing the criticism.