Hong Ik-pyo: "Verbal Bombardment Security, US Strategic Assets Cost Invoice Will Fly In"

Condemning North Korea's Provocations While Criticizing Yoon Government's Security Policy
Hong Ik-pyo: "Yoon's Bluff and North Korea's Provocations... Repeating a Vicious Cycle"

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, condemned North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) provocations while criticizing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's security policy for escalating the 'war crisis.'

At a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 19th, Hong said, "North Korea's missile launches over two days violate United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. It is a very wrong act that only creates tension," but also criticized, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration's 'security incompetence' and lack of measures are very worrisome." He added, "President Yoon boasts without any will or ability to resolve the nuclear issue and achieve peace in response to North Korea's provocations, and North Korea repeats the vicious cycle of further provocations. With security incompetence and diplomatic incompetence as well, there really seems to be no way forward."

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He stated, "Last week, there was a Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting, and Korea and the US discussed 'reaffirmation of the US extended deterrence,' 'non-acceptance of North Korea's nuclear attacks,' and 'deployment of US strategic assets,'" and claimed, "Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, announced that next year's Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) and other Korea-US exercises will include a 'nuclear operation scenario,' but this is a meaningless, pointless story."

He continued, "The US extended deterrence commitment has been confirmed by all past Korea-US governments, so there is nothing new," and criticized, "The cost burden from the deployment of US strategic assets will definitely come with a bill, but is there a way to bear it?" He also questioned, "If former President Trump returns to power and a deal between North Korea and the US is made, what will our government do?"

Floor leader Hong argued, "Yoon Seok-yeol's security policy only has war preparations and verbal attacks, but no vision or strategy for building peace," and claimed, "The one-sided hardline stance without measures only raises the war crisis." He added, "We must reflect on the security incompetence and diplomatic incompetence that make the people anxious and completely overhaul diplomatic and security policies," and said, "I hope the National Security Office and the ministers of foreign affairs and security are all replaced."

Meanwhile, North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) into the East Sea on the night of the 17th, followed by a high-angle launch of one ICBM from the Pyongyang area into the East Sea around 8 a.m. on the 18th.