On March 28, Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized President Lee Jae Myung, asking, Does he think we should engage in dialogue just because North Korea demands it?
Sharing a news report on Facebook, Jang pointed out that when families of victims asked President Lee to seek an apology from North Korea, he responded, Do you think they’ll apologize just because we ask?
The Chosun Ilbo reported that after the 11th West Sea Defense Day ceremony on March 27, President Lee interacted with attendees as he left. The family of the late Staff Sergeant Min Pyeong-gi, who perished in the Cheonan sinking, urged the president to push for an apology from North Korea. Lee reportedly replied, Do you think they’ll apologize just because we ask them to?
Jang also noted that while the Unification Minister insists on dialogue with North Korea, he refers to it as Han-Jo relations rather than inter-Korean relations.
Jang’s comments appear to criticize the Lee administration’s North Korea policy, which has emphasized dialogue. Previously, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young suggested that South Korea not co-sponsor the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council’s resolution on North Korean human rights. However, the government reportedly decided to co-sponsor the resolution the day before.
Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon also issued a statement, criticizing President Lee for remaining silent about North Korea’s aggression in the Cheonan incident. Park argued that Lee’s casual remark, Do you think they’ll apologize just because we ask? trampled on the sacrifice of 46 soldiers and the grief of their families.
Park highlighted the president’s hypocrisy, noting that he demands apologies from critical media outlets and forces them to reflect, showing an obsession bordering on madness. Yet, he fails to properly demand an apology from North Korea, which caused the deaths of South Korean youth.
He continued that the families aren’t asking for special treatment. They simply want the president to show a minimum level of dignity and resolve in the face of their sons’ sacrifices for the nation. Is it really so difficult to firmly demand an apology?
Park added that what’s even more infuriating is that no one in the Lee administration or the Democratic Party has properly apologized for the conspiracy theories and distortions surrounding the Cheonan incident. Questioning, have they ever sincerely bowed their heads to the families, the public, or in honor of the fallen?
He described President Lee as endlessly lenient towards North Korea while brutally strong against his critics. Park stated that Lee pushes forward with his agenda by any means necessary, yet evades responsibilities he dislikes. This is the true face of President Lee.
He concluded by asserting that a president who can’t even demand an apology from North Korea has a security stance that amounts to submission. He must apologize to the families and the public, and demand a clear, firm apology from North Korea regarding the Cheonan sinking.