Democratic Party Holds First National Security Situation Review Meeting... Discusses Response to 'Pyongyang Drone'

"Cannot Confirm" Government Response Seen as "Positive"
Entity Behind Drone Launch "Not Time to Judge"
"To Avoid Misjudgment... Open Inter-Korean Channels and Dialogue Needed"

The Democratic Party's National Security Situation Review Committee (the Committee) held its first meeting since its launch. This was a response to the heightened inter-Korean tensions, such as last week's North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a "serious statement" claiming that a South Korean drone infiltrated Pyongyang airspace.

At a closed-door meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 15th, the Committee examined the facts related to the "Pyongyang drone" incident and discussed countermeasures. Representative Park Seon-won, who attended the meeting, told reporters after the session, "Despite North Korea causing harm to our citizens with large-scale filth balloons and loudspeakers aimed at South Korea, they seem to be emphasizing that South Korea provoked first through this drone incident," adding, "The current situation is serious, and there is concern that it could lead to a reciprocal escalation between the two Koreas." He continued, "It is not yet the time to judge who did what and how," and said, "We are observing the current situation more cautiously."

Park Ji-won (right), chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's National Security Situation Inspection Committee, and Park Seon-won, among others, are conversing before the first meeting of the National Security Situation Inspection Committee held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 15th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

At the same meeting, Representative Bu Seung-chan said, "Although there was confusion in the initial response by the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I believe it helped prevent North Korean provocations." He positively evaluated the government's position shift from denying North Korea's claim of a "South Korean drone infiltration" to stating that it "cannot be confirmed." He added, "It is necessary to open inter-Korean channels and have sincere dialogue to prevent misunderstandings and misjudgments related to the drone," and conveyed that "there was also an opinion from the Ministry of National Defense that caution should be exercised regarding the leaflet drops toward North Korea."

When asked whether the opposition Democratic Party could present practical solutions, Representative Bu responded, "I don't think only the ruling party handles inter-Korean policies," and said, "We can participate by offering various opinions to the UN and the Ministry of National Defense." In response, Representative Park added, "As the largest party in the National Assembly, we cannot be bystanders in a crisis," and said, "The Democratic Party will do its part to protect national interests and ease inter-Korean tensions."

Committee members plan to frequently exchange opinions on security issues via Telegram and other means even while overseas. The Committee chairman is Representative Park Ji-won, who served as the head of the National Intelligence Service during the Moon Jae-in administration. Representative Wi Seong-rak, a former diplomat appointed as the secretary, is currently on an overseas business trip for the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit. Other members include Representative Jeong Dong-young, who served as Minister of Unification during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, Representative Park Seon-won, a former National Intelligence Service official, and Representative Bu Seung-chan, a former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson.

Park Ji-won, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's National Security Situation Inspection Committee, and committee members are attending and conversing at the first meeting of the National Security Situation Inspection Committee held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]