Statement Emphasizing 'Inter-Korean Dialogue'
Ahn: "I Wonder If He Really Served as President of the Republic of Korea"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, criticized former President Moon Jae-in’s statement emphasizing inter-Korean dialogue on the 15th anniversary of the October 4th Inter-Korean Summit Declaration, saying, "I have once again confirmed that the best political decision I have made so far was to break away from former President Moon’s Democratic Party."
On the 5th, Ahn posted on Facebook, "On the very day North Korea fired a missile, former President Moon released a message that made me question if he really was a former president of the Republic of Korea," criticizing him.
Ahn said, "(Former President Moon) stated in his declaration that 'relying on and becoming subordinate to surrounding great powers' is unacceptable. Who are these surrounding great powers? It can only be interpreted as shifting the responsibility for the Korean Peninsula crisis onto the United States," adding, "This is a denial of the ROK-US alliance and an irresponsible remark that endangers the lives and safety of the people."
He also questioned, "(Former President Moon) said, 'We are the masters of the Korean Peninsula’s fate.' Who exactly are 'we'?" He continued, "Since he said we should not rely on or become subordinate to surrounding great powers, it is clear that he does not mean the ROK-US alliance. Then, does he mean North Korea, which never gives up its nuclear weapons and legally specifies the use of offensive nuclear weapons, and South Korea that follows North Korea’s will?"
He further pointed out, "Former President Moon’s 'driver theory' for the Korean Peninsula is already being mocked as the 'proxy driver theory' for the Korean Peninsula," explaining, "Despite being ridiculed by North Korea as a 'boiled small brain,' he is the driver who goes wherever Kim Jong-un tells him to."
Ahn said, "In the end, former President Moon’s statement feels like a preparatory move to shift the responsibility to the current government when ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) or nuclear tests occur, something he himself could not do," adding, "Former President Moon and I have clearly chosen different paths. History will judge whose choice was right."
Former President Moon released a message on Facebook on the 4th marking the 15th anniversary of the October 4th Inter-Korean Summit Declaration. On the same day, North Korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile presumed to be a Hwasong-12 from the area around Mupyong-ri, Jagang Province. Two days later, on the 6th, North Korea also launched a short-range ballistic missile from Pyongyang toward the East Sea.
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