Hong Joonpyo Criticizes President Lee's North Korea Nuclear Policy: "Kim Jongun Is No Fool to Give Up Nukes"

"Kim Jongun Will Never Give Up Nuclear Weapons"
Calls for Nuclear Balance Between the Two Koreas
Warns of South Korea Becoming a 'Nuclear Hostage State'

Hong Joonpyo, former mayor of Daegu, has unleashed criticism against President Lee Jaemyung's North Korea nuclear policy.

Hong Joonpyo, former mayor of Daegu. Photo by Asia Economy DB

On September 26, through his social networking service (SNS) account, Hong stated, "I cannot hide my concerns about President Lee Jaemyung's North Korea nuclear policy," adding, "The three-stage process of halting nuclear advancement, reducing nuclear capabilities, and denuclearization is not only unrealistic, but could also send the wrong message to both North Korea and the United States."

He argued, "This is as misguided a policy as former President Kim Daejung's Sunshine Policy, which aided North Korea's nuclear development," and warned, "South Korea could end up as a nuclear hostage state to Kim Jongun." He further claimed that there is no possibility the Kim Jongun regime will give up its nuclear weapons, stating, "The purpose of nuclear development is to maintain and strengthen the dictatorship, and the regime would collapse the moment it gives them up." He emphasized, "A policy of nuclear balance between the two Koreas is the only solution to North Korea's nuclear issue."

Hong also cited the recent example of Poland cooperating with France on nuclear development, with the United States turning a blind eye, and insisted, "Now is the perfect opportunity to achieve nuclear balance between the two Koreas." He added, "Northeast Asia is as urgent a region as NATO, and with the United States' warfighting capabilities reaching their limits, we must devote our national strength to pursuing nuclear balance between the two Koreas, which is the core of self-reliant defense."

Previously, President Lee Jaemyung presented the 'END Initiative' as a vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. President Lee said, "The most certain peace is a state where there is no need to fight," and emphasized, "Through comprehensive dialogue centered on Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization-'END'-we must bring an end to the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula and usher in a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth."

In response, the People Power Party and other conservative groups strongly criticized the initiative, warning that it could ultimately lead to the acceptance of North Korea's nuclear program.