On the 17th, Joint Statement Issued by the Democratic Party's National Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence Committees
On the 17th, criticism from opposition party lawmakers poured out in each standing committee of the National Assembly regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's extension of his European tour schedule and his visit to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia.
Democratic Party lawmakers belonging to the National Defense Committee, Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, and Intelligence Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly that morning, stating, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to Ukraine is a move that could bring the spark of the Ukraine war to the Korean Peninsula and put the Republic of Korea in danger," and criticized, "The president, who was invisible during disasters, went to Ukraine and pushed our security into crisis."
In a joint statement, they pointed out, "While deaths and disappearances are occurring one after another due to heavy rain and landslides across the country, President Yoon extended his overseas tour period to visit Ukraine," and added, "This is in stark contrast to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attended the G7 summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, last May and returned early due to her country's flood disaster situation."
They continued, "Although a special disaster area declaration is needed in places turned into war zones due to heavy rain damage, President Yoon, who was invisible, suddenly met with the Ukrainian president and declared, 'We will strongly unite and fight together with the spirit of live means die, die means live,'" and criticized, "Saying that we will fight resolutely with Ukraine is no different from saying that Russia is an enemy country. The 160,000 Korean residents living in Russia and more than 160 Korean companies could also be endangered."
They continued their criticism not only on the timing and appropriateness of the summit but also on the content of the talks.
They emphasized, "Security support, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction support were mentioned for Ukraine, but security support was left in the realm of a 'closed room,'" and stressed, "It must be clearly stated whether lethal weapons will be supplied to Ukraine, what items, and how much will be supported."
They also said, "There are many difficulties in resolving North Korea's nuclear missiles, and making Russia an enemy country as well is by no means desirable for peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "The Yoon administration should keep in mind that remarks without historical reflection on the diplomatic stage are a discourtesy not only to us but also to the counterpart country."
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