Even Before Military-Police TF Announces Findings on the "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle"... Unification Minister Chung Dongyoung Takes Independent Step, Saying He Feels "Deep Regret Toward the North"
North Korea Expert: "Preemptive Remarks by the Ministry of Unification Without NSC Coordination Burden the Government... Public Common Sense Must Be Taken into Account"
In the second year of the Lee Jaemyung administration, conflicts over North Korea policy between the diplomatic and unification lines are erupting in various places. Unification Minister Chung Dongyoung expressed "regret" over the incident involving a civilian-operated unmanned aerial vehicle infiltrating North Korean territory, becoming the first senior government official to do so. Controversy has arisen because this statement is understood as an independent move that was not sufficiently coordinated in advance with the Blue House.
On the 11th, when asked by The Asia Business Daily whether Minister Chung's "expression of regret over the unmanned aerial vehicle" represented a coordinated government position, an official at the Blue House drew a line, saying, "It is a matter for the Ministry of Unification." This is interpreted to mean that it was not a measure taken at the level of the National Security Council (NSC), including the National Security Office of the Blue House. The previous day, during Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul, Minister Chung had said, "I express deep regret to the North over the reckless unmanned aerial vehicle infiltration," and when asked by reporters whether this was a position coordinated with the Blue House, he also replied, "It is the judgment of the Ministry of Unification."
The unmanned aerial vehicle infiltration incident that occurred under the Yoon Sukyeol administration is currently under investigation by a joint military-police task force (TF). On the 13th of last month, when Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea, demanded that the South "apologize," Minister Chung effectively responded to this even before the investigation results were released. At the time, National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak said, "North Korea also has circumstances regarding why it sent unmanned aerial vehicles to us, and we must respond from a comprehensively balanced position that takes into account the legal system and the Armistice Agreement," stressing a cautious stance by adding, "We must respond in a calm, cool-headed, and composed manner."
There are also concerns that Minister Chung's actions could narrow the government's room for maneuver in future North Korea policy. Hong Min, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, pointed out, "The (unmanned aerial vehicle incident) is still under investigation and NSC coordination is also necessary, so if the Ministry of Unification makes such remarks preemptively, it can become a burden at the government level," adding, "The government assumes responsibility through fact-finding and legal punishment, but an apology to North Korea is a different issue." He went on to say, "There is also internal logic to consider, and there is the question of whether this can be accepted in terms of public sentiment," emphasizing that "public common sense must also be taken into account."
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