The Democratic Party of Korea is ramping up its criticism of North Korea in response to a mine explosion incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The party has also pointed out that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration failed to adequately address North Korea's initial border measures, launching a public relations campaign.
During a Supreme Council meeting on September 30, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok strongly condemned North Korea for labeling the incident as a 'self-inflicted act' by the South Korean military. He stated, "The DMZ explosion incident is a clear violation of the armistice agreement," and denounced North Korea's denial of responsibility. Supreme Council member Jeong Yong-ki added, "It seems North Korea is trying to evade accountability by claiming the mine explosion was a self-inflicted act. There is no place to hide from responsibility before the international community."
Democratic lawmakers on the National Defense Committee also held a press conference that day, asserting that the incident constitutes a blatant violation of the armistice agreement. They called on North Korea to issue an immediate apology, halt its border measures, and implement preventive measures against future incidents.
Simultaneously, the Democratic Party shifted blame to the Yoon administration for its failure to respond effectively when North Korea's border measures began in 2024. They argued that despite being aware of signs of North Korean provocations, no action was taken at that time.
Supreme Council member Park Sun-won claimed, "The People Power Party failed to prepare a response despite recognizing signs of North Korean provocations starting in April 2024," while Kim Min-seok emphasized the need to review the Yoon administration's response to North Korea's border measures initiated in 2024.
Kim Byung-joo, the ruling party's defense committee secretary, explained that North Korea has been conducting border measures, including erecting fences and laying mines, since declaring South Korea a 'hostile state' in 2023. He criticized the Yoon administration for only issuing warning shots without taking measures to assess the situation or protect soldiers, stating, "If we had responded properly, this unfortunate incident could have been prevented."
During a Supreme Council meeting on September 30, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok strongly condemned North Korea for labeling the incident as a 'self-inflicted act' by the South Korean military. He stated, "The DMZ explosion incident is a clear violation of the armistice agreement," and denounced North Korea's denial of responsibility. Supreme Council member Jeong Yong-ki added, "It seems North Korea is trying to evade accountability by claiming the mine explosion was a self-inflicted act. There is no place to hide from responsibility before the international community."
Democratic lawmakers on the National Defense Committee also held a press conference that day, asserting that the incident constitutes a blatant violation of the armistice agreement. They called on North Korea to issue an immediate apology, halt its border measures, and implement preventive measures against future incidents.
Simultaneously, the Democratic Party shifted blame to the Yoon administration for its failure to respond effectively when North Korea's border measures began in 2024. They argued that despite being aware of signs of North Korean provocations, no action was taken at that time.
Supreme Council member Park Sun-won claimed, "The People Power Party failed to prepare a response despite recognizing signs of North Korean provocations starting in April 2024," while Kim Min-seok emphasized the need to review the Yoon administration's response to North Korea's border measures initiated in 2024.
Kim Byung-joo, the ruling party's defense committee secretary, explained that North Korea has been conducting border measures, including erecting fences and laying mines, since declaring South Korea a 'hostile state' in 2023. He criticized the Yoon administration for only issuing warning shots without taking measures to assess the situation or protect soldiers, stating, "If we had responded properly, this unfortunate incident could have been prevented."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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