Opposition Criticizes Yoon's Order to Review Suspension of 9·19 Agreement Effectiveness as "Wrong Choice"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol's directive on the 4th to consider suspending the effectiveness of the September 19 military agreement in response to North Korea's drone airspace intrusion.

Senior Spokesperson Ahn Ho-young issued a statement that day, saying, "Everyone is equally outraged by the successive provocations from North Korea, but announcing the possibility of terminating the September 19 military agreement is a strategically wrong choice."

On the same day, Kim Eun-hye, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office, stated in a briefing that President Yoon instructed the National Security Office to "consider suspending the effectiveness of the September 19 military agreement if North Korea again commits such provocations by intruding into our territory."

Spokesperson Ahn said, "What North Korea desires is precisely the termination of the September 19 agreement," adding, "This only gives North Korea the opportunity to go beyond the September 19 agreement and carry out hostile acts against South Korea."

He continued, "The September 19 military agreement is a promise between the South and North to completely cease hostile acts that are the root cause of military tension and conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and it is the minimum measure to protect our people from the threat of war," emphasizing, "It is an agreement that not only we but also North Korea must uphold."

He further stated, "If this is a statement prepared for a localized war, it is extremely dangerous. The soldiers carrying out operations are also our citizens, our sons and daughters," and questioned, "The Presidential Office claims this decision is a resolution to protect the lives and safety of the people, but how can opening the possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula be a decision for the people?"

He added, "It seems only the president himself does not realize that the security ignorance and irresponsible agitation of a president who has not completed military service further escalate tensions between the South and North and plunge the people into anxiety," urging, "President Yoon should stop making ultra-hardline remarks that disregard the safety of our people and devise effective measures to ease military tensions between the South and North."