Unification Ministry Official: "Democratic Party Lawmakers Distort and Disclose Confidential Meeting Contents"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] On the 20th, the Democratic Party of Korea visited the Ministry of Unification to question the change in stance regarding the case of the North Korean fishermen who were repatriated. During this process, officials from the Ministry of Unification protested that Democratic Party lawmakers distorted and disclosed the contents of a private meeting with Minister Kwon Young-se.
Kim Byung-joo, head of the Democratic Party's TF on the West Sea government official death incident, revealed part of the private meeting with Minister Kwon Young-se during a meeting with Ministry of Unification officials. Lawmaker Kim said, "The Minister of Unification acknowledged that they are heinous criminals who killed 16 people," adding, "He said he recognized they are heinous criminals because they confessed and that he thinks so."
Kim also stated, "The Ministry of Unification reversed its position from three years ago and announced it because Minister Kwon Young-se himself ordered it," and added, "He said that during the process, they reported to the National Security Office of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and were connected and coordinated with them."
In response to Kim's remarks, Ministry of Unification officials including Vice Minister Kim Ki-woong questioned, "How can you distort the minister's words that were agreed to be kept confidential and convey them?" Especially, when the Ministry officials refuted the use of the term 'coordination,' loud exchanges occurred between both sides.
Jung So-woon, Director of the India Cooperation Bureau, rebutted, saying, "(The minister) did not say that," and "He did not say that he coordinated with the Presidential Office." Lawmaker Kim Byung-joo replied, "If the reporting target is the Unification Secretary, who belongs to the National Security Office, wouldn't that mean coordination with the National Security Office?" and added, "Why do you keep nitpicking?"
Democratic Party lawmakers pointed out that the Ministry of Unification's stance on the repatriation incident has completely changed compared to November 2019, and questioned the intention behind releasing photos and videos from the time of repatriation. Lawmaker Kim claimed, "Without additional circumstances or evidence, the position on repatriation was changed immediately after the regime changed according to political advantages or disadvantages."
Lawmaker Yoon Gun-young said, "Reflect on whether the Ministry of Unification, which is responsible for inter-Korean unification affairs, has been reduced to handling domestic political tasks." Lawmaker Lee Yong-sun criticized the Ministry's release of photos and videos at the time of repatriation, saying, "The videos are not the essence but a kind of hidden camera," and questioned, "Was the material provided to be used as a tool for political strife to stir public emotions?"
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