People Power Party Demands Immediate Landmine Probe, Targeting President Lee and Military: "Only Mindful of Kim Jong-un"

▲ People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok

The People Power Party strongly criticized President Lee Jae-myung and newly appointed Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul, claiming that the investigation into a suspected landmine explosion that recently occurred in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is being delayed.

Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok appeared consecutively on Friday on the YouTube channels of Newdaily TV and Maeil Shinmun, saying, "Whether it was planted by North Korea or drifted down from the North during floods, shouldn't the president state a position?" criticizing that the administration is "too busy walking on eggshells around Kim Jong-un."

In a post on Facebook, leader Jang also stated, "There is a very high probability that this is a landmine recently planted by the North Korean military. If so, it is a clear act of aggression, requiring a corresponding, highest-level response."

He continued, "An immediate and thorough investigation is necessary," adding, "If they try to pull the wool over the public's eyes with a slipshod cover-up, it will only add grounds for impeachment."

Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik wrote on Facebook, "A South Korean soldier's ankle was severed by a landmine that is almost certainly North Korea's doing, yet far from mounting a proper response, even the investigation was postponed until after Chuseok." He criticized, "In this situation, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul is reciting 'Veni, vidi, vici' (I came, I saw, I conquered).

He fancied himself like Caesar, but in the eyes of others, he is closer to Nero."

Five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won also addressed the delay on Facebook, stating, "As someone once said, this administration is conceding that it is neutralizing the military into an honor guard that rolls out a red carpet instead of holding guns if North Korea pushes down south."

Lawmaker Han Ki-ho, a former military general, wrote, "The Ministry of National Defense, which is stalling for time by making this excuse and that excuse, truly deserves the public's condemnation," adding, "The defense minister is truly servile."

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who staged a one-person protest the previous day in front of the Ministry of National Defense demanding an "immediate launch of an on-site investigation into the DMZ landmine explosion," also criticized in a Facebook post: "If it was too dangerous to enter until now, will it suddenly stop being dangerous after taking a break over the Chuseok red-letter holiday?"

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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