Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, called on Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, to "maintain the baseline for national interests in political attacks" during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. In response, Na questioned, "Is the national interest that Kim speaks of the interest of South Korea or North Korea?"
During the meeting, Kim criticized Na, stating, "Who among the citizens with dignity and reason would consider it normal to send a thank-you letter to Ukraine, which has criticized government measures to protect POWs and their families?"
Na later held a press conference, explaining that sending the thank-you letter was meant to demonstrate that there are factions in South Korea welcoming the return of North Korean POWs. She added, "This could pave the way for North Korean soldiers to defect to South Korea in the future."
Na also countered Kim's claims regarding the measures for the protection of POWs and their families, stating, "The North Korean soldiers expressed their intention to come to South Korea in February of last year, and this was reported in the media. They reiterated their desire to defect in October as well," asserting that the safety of their families remaining in North Korea had already been determined at that time.
She further criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's strong response to Ukraine, saying, "The only reason for this is to signal to North Korea that 'we do not want North Korean POWs and will not accept them in the future.'"
Na condemned the government for sending signals that benefit both Russia and North Korea, labeling it as a "self-inflicted harm to national interests."
She warned Kim, saying, "Do not disguise the abnormality of a regime that bows to the aggressor North Korea while brandishing a sword against allied nations in the name of national interests. It is clear treason to bow to an invader and abandon compatriots to danger."
During the meeting, Kim criticized Na, stating, "Who among the citizens with dignity and reason would consider it normal to send a thank-you letter to Ukraine, which has criticized government measures to protect POWs and their families?"
Na later held a press conference, explaining that sending the thank-you letter was meant to demonstrate that there are factions in South Korea welcoming the return of North Korean POWs. She added, "This could pave the way for North Korean soldiers to defect to South Korea in the future."
Na also countered Kim's claims regarding the measures for the protection of POWs and their families, stating, "The North Korean soldiers expressed their intention to come to South Korea in February of last year, and this was reported in the media. They reiterated their desire to defect in October as well," asserting that the safety of their families remaining in North Korea had already been determined at that time.
She further criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's strong response to Ukraine, saying, "The only reason for this is to signal to North Korea that 'we do not want North Korean POWs and will not accept them in the future.'"
Na condemned the government for sending signals that benefit both Russia and North Korea, labeling it as a "self-inflicted harm to national interests."
She warned Kim, saying, "Do not disguise the abnormality of a regime that bows to the aggressor North Korea while brandishing a sword against allied nations in the name of national interests. It is clear treason to bow to an invader and abandon compatriots to danger."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.