National Assembly Government Questioning on Foreign Affairs, Unification, and Security
Opposition Criticizes North Korea Policy as "Neglect of Duty Due to No Action"
On the 10th, when the National Assembly's government questioning session on diplomacy, unification, and security was held, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's policy toward Japan. The ruling party claimed that the Korea-Japan relationship, which had been out of sync during the Moon Jae-in administration, has been normalized, while the opposition countered that government officials exhibit a 'pro-Japanese tendency.'
Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, said at the National Assembly's government questioning session on diplomacy, unification, and security, "President Yoon opened a breakthrough in the Korea-Japan relationship, which had deteriorated under the previous administration," adding, "He met with the Japanese Prime Minister 12 times over two years to create a major turning point in the relationship, but the opposition disparages this and is obsessed with 'anti-Japan agitation and division,' which is regrettable."
Yoon said, "Thanks to President Yoon's decision, the Korea-Japan relationship has been restored," and added, "(This) is being evaluated as a restoration of the 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi' spirit."
When Prime Minister Han Duck-soo responded to Yoon's remarks by saying, "In the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi declaration, Japan explicitly and most clearly apologized for past issues," the opposition seats erupted with criticisms such as "Which country's prime minister is this?" and "Did Abe or Kishida apologize?"
Jeong Dong-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised concerns about a recent interview with Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, whom the opposition suspects of being affiliated with the New Right. Kim stated, "If Japan turns its head away and does not say what is necessary regarding past issues, we must sternly question and attempt change, but the important thing is Japan's mindset," adding, "We should consider whether forcibly pressuring Japan to apologize helps Korea-Japan relations."
Jeong emphasized, "This person (Kim Tae-hyo) claims that the Supreme Court's ruling on forced labor compensation was wrong and argues that the Self-Defense Forces should intervene in emergencies on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "He repeats the claims of Japanese right-wingers and represents Japan; he must be immediately removed from the National Security Office."
Views also diverged regarding the current administration's North Korea policy. Kim Ki-woong of the People Power Party criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's ban on leaflet distribution to North Korea and the killing of a South Korean official in the West Sea, saying, "The government at the time tried hard not to provoke North Korea and took unconstitutional measures when requested by North Korea, yet inter-Korean dialogue became strained."
On the other hand, Han Jeong-ae of the Democratic Party raised issues, stating that the current government does not prevent the distribution of leaflets to North Korea despite legal concerns. Han said, "Distributing leaflets in a no-fly zone violates the Aviation Safety Act, and sending USBs or shortwave radios along with leaflets violates UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the import of electronic devices into North Korea," adding, "If no action is taken, it is dereliction of duty."
Opposition lawmakers also engaged in a heated debate with Deputy Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho over martial law issues. When Im Jong-deuk of the People Power Party said that the opposition's claims about the possibility of martial law are "absurd political agitation and extreme delusion," Deputy Minister Kim agreed, prompting strong protests from Democratic Party lawmakers asking, "Are the opposition's claims delusional?"
Deputy Minister Kim did not back down, saying, "That is high-level political agitation," and as the commotion continued, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Hak-young intervened, saying, "Deputy Minister Kim, please do not argue with the lawmakers," and restrained the situation.
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