People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok Criticizes Government Over North Korean Missile Launch

People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok criticized the government today (September 12), regarding North Korea's launch of short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, stating, "While North Korea fires missiles and the U.S. presses for troop deployment, the government fails to utter a single proper word and merely repeats claims of being a 'pacemaker'."

Leader Jang wrote on social media today, "We must further strengthen our military's capabilities and unshakeably protect the South Korea-U.S. alliance. That is the president's duty and the government's responsibility," adding, "Yet, the Lee Jae-myung administration constantly moves backward."

He went on to sarcastically remark, "The consolidation and abolition of military academies is effectively a declaration to give up South Korea's national defense. The nominee for Minister of National Defense says he agrees with the remark that there would be no problem even if wartime operational control is recovered tomorrow. They have picked someone who perfectly matches the administration's tastes."

Jang emphasized, "Talking about national defense while weakening the military's strength, and talking about peace while shaking the South Korea-U.S. alliance, is in itself deceiving the public," and stressed, "A president who gives up national defense is no longer a president."

Senior Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon also criticized in a commentary that day, "The Lee Jae-myung government, consistent with 'fake peace' and a lax security perspective, is fueling trouble," adding, "Even though North Korea openly raises the level of armed demonstrations and threatens the safety of our citizens, the administration's gaze remains fixed on unrealistic appeasement policies and a submissive view of North Korea."

He further urged, "We must reorganize a strong combined South Korea-U.S. defense posture and resolutely and thoroughly prepare for additional provocations from North Korea based on a firm superiority of strength."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.