Yoo Seung-min: "President Yoon, 'Not meeting Speaker Pelosi due to vacation'? Not a valid reason... Must change his mind"

"US Will Be Seen as Appeasing China"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min insisted on the 4th that President Yoon Seok-yeol should meet with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He urged that the meeting should take place for the sake of national interest, saying, "Vacation or other reasons cannot be accepted."

Former lawmaker Yoo stated through social media (SNS) on the same day, "According to reports until this morning, President Yoon Seok-yeol will not meet Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives," adding, "It is incomprehensible that the president does not meet the top figure of the allied U.S. Congress who has visited Korea."

He listed the significance and status of the U.S. Congress in the Korea-U.S. relationship, saying, "When President Trump considered reducing U.S. troops in Korea, it was the U.S. Congress that resolved to maintain the troops," and "The Congress holds tremendous power over budgets such as defense spending, and it plays an important role in the Korea-U.S. alliance," emphasizing the importance of meeting Speaker Pelosi.

He continued, "Even when members of the U.S. Congress from both the House and Senate, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense visited Korea, most of our past presidents met with them," adding, "They met without regard to rank because the Korea-U.S. alliance and their roles were that important."

He questioned, "Such an important figure visits Korea, yet the president in Seoul does not even meet them?" and stated, "Being on vacation cannot be a valid reason."

Former lawmaker Yoo pointed out, "Speaker Pelosi is said to be visiting the JSA today," and said, "It is undesirable, no matter how you think about it, that the leader of the allied nation's legislature visits the frontline of our security but has no meeting with our president. It could be seen as trying to appease China." He added, "Wavering diplomacy since the early days of the new administration, which emphasized the Korea-U.S. alliance, does not help our national interest at all," and expressed hope that "President Yoon will change his mind and meet Speaker Pelosi even now."