6th Anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration... Ruling Party: "Submissive North Korea Policy" vs Opposition: "Restoration of Inter-Korean Dialogue"

Conflict Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Yoon Government's North Korea Policy
People Power: "Only North Korean Provocations... Moon Still Delusional"
Democratic Party: "Must Stop Brinkmanship with North Korea"

On the 27th, the 6th anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, the ruling and opposition parties showed sharp reactions regarding the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's North Korea policy. The People Power Party criticized former President Moon Jae-in's remarks that the government should shift its Korea policy direction according to the will of the people expressed in the general election, saying not to interpret the people's will as one pleases. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea sharpened its stance, saying the Yoon Suk-yeol administration should still reflect on the meaning of the Panmunjom Declaration and stop the strong-arm confrontation with North Korea.

President Moon Jae-in (right in the photo) and Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, are meeting and shaking hands at the Military Demarcation Line in Panmunjom on April 27, 2018, and taking photos. Photo by Korea Joint Press Corps. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Choi Min-seok, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing on the 27th, "The current state of inter-Korean relations, suppressed by strong-arm confrontation and ongoing military provocations, cannot be called peace," adding, "Six years ago, the two Koreas met at Panmunjom and promised a joint goal to ease military tensions and establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula."

He said, "Sadly, the steps toward peace between the two Koreas have currently come to a halt," emphasizing, "Permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula is an absolute goal that must neither be abandoned nor compromised, and the peninsula must not be turned back into a battlefield. The end of confrontation is mutual destruction that no one desires."

He also said, "Efforts must be made to restore dialogue to create a peaceful Korean Peninsula free from the threat of war," and "The Democratic Party will do its utmost to inherit the spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration and create a Korean Peninsula without the risk of war."

Former President Moon Jae-in pointed out in a commemorative speech at the Panmunjom Declaration 6th anniversary ceremony and forum held at the National Assembly Library auditorium the day before, "The situation on the Korean Peninsula has deteriorated extremely over the past two years. Serious efforts for dialogue restoration and peace have disappeared, and only provocation, hostility, and conflict have grown."

He continued, "Eventually, even the September 19 military agreement, the safety pin of peace on the Korean Peninsula, was annulled," explaining, "It is also difficult to lead international cooperation for peace on the Korean Peninsula due to biased ideological diplomacy."

He added, "If this continues, there is a growing concern that military clashes and war could break out at any time, which is a truly grave crisis," emphasizing, "Rather than blaming each other, only by sincerely making efforts with empathy can we achieve the fruits of peace. At times like this, we must reflect on the meaning of the Panmunjom Declaration and unite our efforts to return to the path of peace."

On the other hand, the People Power Party issued a statement on the same day, retorting, "Is former President Moon still crossing the 'Dobodari' alone in his delusions?"

Kim Min-su, spokesperson for the People Power Party, claimed in the statement, "What the Panmunjom talks and the September 19 military agreement brought was not peace on the Korean Peninsula, but only North Korea's unilateral treaty violations and provocations."

Spokesperson Kim criticized, "Now all South Korean citizens know the truth that 'North Korea will never give up its nuclear weapons,' and while former President Moon called for peace with a submissive attitude, North Korea has advanced its nuclear capabilities."

He said, "Is former President Moon still crossing the 'Dobodari' alone in his delusions? Or does he think the word 'will of the people' is just a tool to be used in political rhetoric?" He pointed out, "If you truly care about South Korea's security, reflect on the North Korea policy that was consistently submissive, and first reflect on the mistakes of opening the way for those with wrong beliefs to enter the National Assembly."