Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young on Wednesday criticized the controversy over his mention of a uranium enrichment facility in North Korea’s Guseong as “political maneuvering” that “harms the national interest.”
Jeong made the remarks after visiting Park In-jun, head of the Korea Conference of Religions for Peace (KCRP) and leader of Cheondoism, at Cheondoism’s Suun Hall in Seoul’s Jongno district. Speaking to reporters, Jeong said those who stirred the issue “must have an intention.”
On U.S. steps to limit intelligence sharing with South Korea, Jeong said similar moves had occurred “intermittently” in the past without becoming public. “That’s the national interest — so why create turmoil?” he said.
Jeong said the people behind the controversy “could be the United States or could be within our own country,” adding that what had happened before was now being treated as an unprecedented incident. “It may be entertaining to keep inflating the controversy, but it harms the national interest,” he said.
He again argued that mentioning Guseong — which South Korean and U.S. authorities have not confirmed as the location of a uranium enrichment facility — did not amount to a leak of classified information.
“That place name has been mentioned for 10 years by numerous research institutes and experts, and even in U.S. congressional reports,” Jeong said. “It’s been in the news — is that classified?”
Jeong said the core issue is “how serious the North Korean nuclear problem is,” and stressed the need to shift quickly to dialogue and negotiations because “sanctions, pressure and blockade” have not worked.
He added that the Ministry of Unification — and he personally — believes South Korea should try to create an opening for U.S.-North Korea talks on the occasion of President Donald Trump’s visit to China.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party on Wednesday adopted, as a party line, a motion recommending Jeong’s dismissal.
Jeong made the remarks after visiting Park In-jun, head of the Korea Conference of Religions for Peace (KCRP) and leader of Cheondoism, at Cheondoism’s Suun Hall in Seoul’s Jongno district. Speaking to reporters, Jeong said those who stirred the issue “must have an intention.”
On U.S. steps to limit intelligence sharing with South Korea, Jeong said similar moves had occurred “intermittently” in the past without becoming public. “That’s the national interest — so why create turmoil?” he said.
Jeong said the people behind the controversy “could be the United States or could be within our own country,” adding that what had happened before was now being treated as an unprecedented incident. “It may be entertaining to keep inflating the controversy, but it harms the national interest,” he said.
He again argued that mentioning Guseong — which South Korean and U.S. authorities have not confirmed as the location of a uranium enrichment facility — did not amount to a leak of classified information.
“That place name has been mentioned for 10 years by numerous research institutes and experts, and even in U.S. congressional reports,” Jeong said. “It’s been in the news — is that classified?”
Jeong said the core issue is “how serious the North Korean nuclear problem is,” and stressed the need to shift quickly to dialogue and negotiations because “sanctions, pressure and blockade” have not worked.
He added that the Ministry of Unification — and he personally — believes South Korea should try to create an opening for U.S.-North Korea talks on the occasion of President Donald Trump’s visit to China.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party on Wednesday adopted, as a party line, a motion recommending Jeong’s dismissal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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