Yoon Suk-yeol: "Restoring Inter-Korean Communication Lines Is Fortunate, But It Means Little If We Only Monitor North Korea's Mood"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok, Busan=Reporter Park Joon] Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the opposition, said on the 27th that the restoration of the inter-Korean communication line is "truly a fortunate event," but added, "If we still only watch each other's mood, would the restoration of the hotline have much significance?"

On the 27th, after visiting Busan and concluding a meeting at Jagalchi Market, Yoon said, "Originally, the fact that the hotline was cut off itself is absurd," and added, "It is ridiculous that the hotline, which had been maintained since the July 4th Joint Declaration in 1972, was cut off, so its restoration is fortunate."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "Just because it has been restored, it is difficult to see that sensitive issues such as the North Korean nuclear problem or inter-Korean matters have been resolved by themselves."

Yoon mentioned incidents such as the demolition of the Kaesong liaison office and the killing of a government official, saying, "I think we need to actively make claims and listen to what (North Korea) has to say."

He said, "For inter-Korean relations to develop, there needs to be frank and open communication. If that is not possible and we still only watch each other's mood, would the restoration of the hotline have much significance?"