Chung Dong-young, Minister of Unification, addressed rising criticism from opposition parties, including the People Power Party, regarding the recent explosion at the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on October 12. He emphasized the need to consider the broader context of the incident.
During a press conference held at the Government Seoul Complex in Jongno, Seoul, Chung responded to claims made by independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who described the incident as a 'mine attack.' He stated, 'The essence of the matter lies in the differing standards regarding the MDL between the United Nations Command and the North and South. It is necessary to align these standards to prevent future occurrences.'
Chung also drew a distinction between the 2015 Mokpo landmine incident, which he referred to as an 'event,' and the current MDL situation, which he labeled as an 'accident.' He noted, 'The Mokpo landmine was placed in areas frequented by our soldiers, while the current issue fundamentally concerns the alignment of the MDL.'
Addressing concerns that his comments about North Korea's nuclear facilities in March had led to restrictions on U.S. intelligence regarding North Korea, Chung clarified, 'I made those remarks as a lawmaker back in July of last year.' In response to speculation about calls for his dismissal, he asserted, 'I consider such claims excessive. The push for my removal is politically motivated.'
Chung highlighted the ongoing relationship between President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that they met four times within a span of just over a year. He remarked, 'If there is mutual respect and understanding between leaders, can we really say that the alliance is in disarray? While there may be some discord in U.S.-Korea relations, it should not be exaggerated.'
His comments come amid concerns about potential conflicts arising from the National Security Council's (NSC) discussions on responses to the MDL explosion, which included mentions of North Korea sanctions. Chung explained, 'The NSC is a place where different opinions among departments are coordinated. If everyone agreed, it would indicate a lack of progress.'
Regarding North Korea's claims that the mine incident was a South Korean fabrication, Chung stated, 'It seems they are quoting my remarks where I said it is difficult to specify.' He rejected accusations of a submissive stance toward North Korea, asserting, 'We are moving forward with a balanced approach, not a submissive or aggressive one.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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