Seoyounggyo "Disturbed by Formalizing North Korea Nuclear Retaliation... People's Lives Are Important"

MBC Radio 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' Interview

President Yoon Suk-yeol is reportedly planning to codify that the United States will carry out nuclear retaliation in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack during his upcoming visit to the U.S., drawing criticism from Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who called it "disconcerting" and said it "could sound like a declaration of war."

On the 24th, Seo said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "The process of codification could sound like a declaration of war, and I sincerely hope such a thing does not happen."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He added, "It is very disconcerting. Isn't it that our government, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, is demanding this content? Peace between the South and the North is important, and the lives of our people are important, but if a nuclear war breaks out, everything will just end. Yet, isn't this meant to provoke that?"

Seo said, "The very act of President Yoon codifying this is inappropriate, just as when we speak about Russia and say it is intervening in the war, or when we say China will burn to death. Such remarks are not appropriate," adding, "There is no need to provoke such statements and escalate tensions. It is necessary to come up with peaceful solutions to address inter-Korean issues or nuclear problems in a peaceful manner."

He also expressed concern about the worsening relations between China and Russia. Seo said, "The economy is in a very dire state, but by making unnecessary remarks about Russia and China, it is stirring up trouble, severely impacting Korean residents and businesspeople in Russia and China," adding, "Whether it is because he is the president or because he intends to stand by his previous remarks, he is recklessly making statements that are putting South Korea in danger."

He continued, "Remarks about war intervention or burning to death are unprecedented, aren't they? South Korea is divided and in a very precarious situation. We must always remain vigilant and conduct pragmatic diplomacy from the perspective of national interest, and work to build peace."