Han Byeong-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, criticized Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party for attacking President Lee Jae-myung over the reduction of US-Korea joint exercises, stating that Jang is making "unfounded remarks" and engaging in "delusional victory".
During a Supreme Council meeting held at the Gangneung City Hall, Han said, "President Donald Trump expressed his intention to reduce the US-Korea joint exercises to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea. President Lee also respects Trump's decision and fully agrees with the commitment that South Korea must take responsibility for its own security on the Korean Peninsula."
He further pointed out, "While not saying anything about Trump's decision, attacking President Lee, who is trying to strengthen US-Korea cooperation toward the same goal, raises the question of whose politics this is for." He emphasized that the adjustment of the exercises was made after consultations between the defense authorities of South Korea and the United States, and that essential readiness and training objectives would be maintained.
Han also stated, "The transfer of wartime operational control does not weaken the US-Korea alliance but is a path for South Korea to lead the defense of the Korean Peninsula and further strengthen the alliance's history. To equate diplomatic efforts for peace with a loss of security and to misrepresent the transfer of operational control as a withdrawal of US troops is not just simple criticism but a dangerous falsehood that incites public anxiety."
He stressed, "There can be no partisanship in security. There is no room for political strife in front of the people. The People Power Party must immediately stop using national security as a bargaining chip against the US-Korea alliance and the safety of the people. The Democratic Party will firmly maintain peace in border areas and contribute to the prosperity of peace on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia based on strong defense and a solid US-Korea alliance."
Meanwhile, the US-Korea joint exercises are set to conclude today, although they were originally scheduled to continue until the 27th.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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