People Power Party: "North Korea's Denial of Mine Incident Result of Government Walking on Eggshells... Must Retaliate"

The People Power Party urged immediate countermeasures while criticizing the administration, stating it was the "result of the government walking on eggshells around North Korea," after Kim Yo-jong, director of North Korea's Workers' Party General Affairs Department, flatly denied the South Korean military's announcement that an explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was highly likely caused by a North Korean mine.

Senior Spokesperson Park Chung-kwon issued a commentary saying, "While the military authorities say the possibility of a North Korean mine is very high, they appear to be trying to reduce North Korea's responsibility by stating that intentionality is 'limited.' As if on cue, Kim Yo-jong displayed the height of audacity in her statement by dismissing it as a 'self-staged drama.'"

He went on to urge, "The president seems consumed with walking on eggshells around North Korea while bringing up conspiracy theories. The Lee Jae-myung administration must respond forcefully to North Korea's barbaric provocation that cost our soldier an ankle, and stand firmly against Kim Yo-jong's intimidation."

Senior Spokesperson Park also staged a one-person protest in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building condemning the government's response regarding the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine.

Representative Kwon Young-se, a five-term lawmaker who formerly served as Unification Minister, argued on KBS Radio, "Following the incident, the president delivered an address at the UN General Assembly, but the speech struck a tone completely opposite to the accident," adding, "An investigation should have been launched immediately, and putting it off for days is unacceptable. A National Security Council meeting definitely should have been convened."

Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's warning against 'conspiracy theories,' Kwon fired back, "Isn't the president himself the master of conspiracy theories? He claimed the Sewol ferry belonged to the National Intelligence Service and fueled conspiracy theories by citing an article on a submarine collision during the Cheonan sinking." Regarding North Korea's statement, he emphasized, "When they make such shameless remarks, we must clearly demonstrate punishment. Medical support must also be reconsidered."

Representative Han Ki-ho, a four-term lawmaker and former military general, also lashed out at North Korea's statement, saying, "This is the outcome of walking on eggshells around Kim Jong-un. It is the result of failing to take immediate action after the incident, dragging their feet, and catering to Kim Jong-un's mood," adding, "Now it is Lee Jae-myung's turn to answer."

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