Ha Tae-kyung: "President Yoon's 'Enemy is Iran' Remark Is Not Something to Apologize For"

Hataekyung SBS Radio Interview
"Just Explain the Intent of President Yoon's Remarks and It's Over"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Amid ongoing controversy over President Yoon Seok-yeol's remark that "the enemy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Iran," Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, stated, "It is true that Iran is a threatening country," adding, "There is no need to apologize to Iran."

On the 19th, Ha appeared on SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show and said, "The point is that the president's remark does not mean making Iran an enemy of the Republic of Korea; an explanation to that effect would end the issue."

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the morning of the 12th to announce the bill on the Prohibition of Interference with Withdrawal from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 15th, President Yoon visited the Ark Unit deployed in the UAE to encourage the troops, stating, "The most threatening country to the UAE is Iran, and our enemy is North Korea," adding, "We and the UAE share very similar positions."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the president's remarks were not about bilateral relations between Korea and Iran but were intended to encourage the troops. However, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the South Korean ambassador to Iran to protest President Yoon's remarks.

Regarding this, Ha explained, "When we talk about North Korea, some governments describe it as a threat, and when they say 'turn Seoul into a sea of fire,' they refer to it as the main enemy. The terms 'threat' and 'enemy' are used interchangeably, but this is not a diplomatic statement; it should be seen as a domestic remark directed at our soldiers."

He continued, "Although geographically foreign, the target is our Republic of Korea soldiers," adding, "So, in substance, it means a threat, and Iran is indeed a potential threatening country from the UAE's perspective."

Furthermore, Ha emphasized, "From a security standpoint, it is not about making Islam an enemy; the truth can be clarified," and stressed, "A proper explanation would resolve the issue, and it should not be further escalated domestically."