[2022 National Audit] "Bold Delusion" vs "Sufficient Possibility" Heated Debate Over Denuclearization Policy

Democratic Party 'Fierce Criticism' Over Yoon Government's Denuclearization Roadmap
Kwon Young-se: "There Is Feasibility... It's Too Early to Conclude"
Ruling Party Proposes Resolution Condemning Nuclear Force Legalization, Democrats Respond "Handle in Defense Committee" to Avoid Confrontation

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se. / National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Unification Minister Kwon Young-se and opposition lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's North Korea denuclearization roadmap, the "Bold Initiative."

On the afternoon of the 7th, at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit of the Ministry of Unification, Kim Kyung-hyup, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized, "In my view, the realization of the Bold Initiative is impossible," adding, "North Korea has never disparaged President Yoon Suk-yeol and the Bold Initiative with such unmentionable language as it did this time. The possibility is nonexistent."

Minister Kwon responded, "It is difficult to quantify, but I believe it can be realized," and added, "In the past, North Korea threatened to turn Seoul into a sea of fire, yet dialogue continued afterward, so it is too early to make a definitive judgment."

During this exchange, Representative Kim raised the level of confrontation by using somewhat harsh expressions, including calling it a "Bold Delusion." This phrase had previously appeared in an article published on North Korea's external propaganda media on the 14th of last month, criticizing Minister Kwon's call for North Korea's response to the Bold Initiative.

The Bold Initiative refers to the current administration's policy toward North Korea, which entails the phased and simultaneous implementation of denuclearization measures along with economic, political, and military actions. President Yoon first mentioned this initiative in his inaugural address and later, in his Liberation Day speech, announced plans to promote three major sectors: infrastructure, livelihood, and economy.

The two also continued their argument over the repatriation of North Korean fishermen that occurred during the previous administration.

Representative Kim pointed out, "Is the Republic of Korea a refuge for heinous criminals? Are the human rights of the bereaved families not important?" Minister Kwon countered, "We are not ignoring human rights but suggesting that they pay for their crimes and that only minimal human rights be protected," adding, "During the Moon Jae-in administration, the Ministry of Justice even issued a legal review stating there was no legal basis for repatriation."

This incident involved two North Korean fishermen who, in November 2019, killed 16 colleagues, defected, and expressed their intention to seek asylum. However, the Moon Jae-in government forcibly repatriated them to North Korea via Panmunjom. The Democratic Party argues that repatriation was justified because the fishermen committed murder, while the People Power Party opposes the decision as a mistake.

Meanwhile, the ruling party proposed adopting a National Assembly resolution condemning North Korea's legalization of nuclear armament. However, the Democratic Party expressed willingness to share the purpose of the resolution and the seriousness of North Korea's provocations but drew a line by stating that the matter should be discussed in the Defense Committee, the relevant standing committee.