Lee: "The situation is grave, but a short-term solution is difficult"
"We must seek realistic and rational measures"
Ahn: "Denuclearization is last in END, which means ending the war comes first"
Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo of the People Power Party analyzed President Lee Jaemyung's 'END Initiative' as an intention to pursue a declaration of the end of the war before North Korea's denuclearization. He argued that this approach is highly likely to result in the entrenchment of division and make unification impossible.
On the 24th, Assemblyman Ahn shared his thoughts on his social media, stating, "'I wondered if it would happen, and indeed it did.' This is my impression after listening to President Lee Jaemyung's keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly."
On the 23rd (local time), President Lee delivered his keynote speech as the seventh speaker at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, where he announced the 'END Initiative.' The 'END' presented by President Lee stands for Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization. President Lee emphasized, "We must end the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, centering on 'END.'"
President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, USA, on the 23rd (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
However, Assemblyman Ahn pointed out that although it may appear peaceful at first glance, placing denuclearization at the end essentially means prioritizing a declaration of the end of the war before denuclearization. He stated, "If we proceed with exchange and normalization while accepting North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons as a fait accompli, it will ultimately lead to the entrenchment of division and make unification impossible."
He continued, "The bigger problem is that this initiative aligns exactly with the demands of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. I express serious concern that President Lee Jaemyung's 'END' could mark not the beginning of peace, but the end of unification." He added, "Right now, Kim Jong Un is likely smiling with satisfaction, while the people of North Korea are enduring the worst living conditions."
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