"Concerns Over Moon's Remarks Ahead of Korea-US Summit"
"Telling Others How to Arrange Their Ancestral Rites"
Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, called South Korea’s current diplomacy "Cheongmaengwani diplomacy," urging the Moon Jae-in administration to "view alliances and the international community with practical thinking." Cheongmaengwani refers to someone who appears to have normal eyesight but cannot see ahead, or a person like that.
On this day, Ahn made these remarks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, stating in his opening remarks, "I would like to say a few words about the upcoming South Korea-US summit scheduled for next month."
He expressed concern, saying, "The president’s recent remarks are very worrisome," and criticized, "Ahead of the (South Korea-US) summit, President Moon publicly stated in an interview with the US media that President Biden should directly engage in talks with North Korea and that it would be a mistake to discard the agreements made by former President Trump. These comments were close to a discourtesy sufficient to offend the summit counterpart." He added, "In short, it was like telling someone how to arrange their ancestral rites table," and said, "Because there is no understanding of the changed policy direction of the new US administration, such remarks came out. It reminds me of the saying, ‘Ignorance is boldness.’"
Ahn also criticized the current administration’s stance, which appears pro-China and pro-North Korea. He said, "The administration shows an excessively submissive attitude and favorable remarks toward China," and questioned, "In the context of the deepening new Cold War between the US and China, it is doubtful whether such remarks are appropriate." He further raised doubts, saying, "Either something is clouding the president’s eyes, or someone is providing the president with incorrect information and judgment materials." Regarding North Korea, he stated, "The president has been subjected to all kinds of ridicule and humiliation, from being called a ‘boiled ox head’ to a ‘US-made parrot’," emphasizing, "Regardless of support, the people’s pride is hurt and they are angered that our country’s president is being spoken of in such a way."
Ahn emphasized the US alliance. He said, "The three major mega trends currently changing the world are COVID-19 and war, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the new US-China Cold War," adding, "How we respond to these will have a powerful impact on South Korea’s future security and economy." He expressed concern, saying, "The more this administration’s misjudgments shake the foundation of the South Korea-US alliance, the more Japan’s political and military influence in Northeast Asia will grow, and South Korea may end up isolated from the global democratic coalition."
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