The People Power Party on the 20th launched a barrage of criticism, calling for the dismissal of Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and labeling the situation a “security disaster” after reports that the United Statesparty
Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk said at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that “the sharing of United States intelligence on North Korea — one of the most critical assets for our security — is currently being restricted,” adding that “this is due to President Lee Jae-myung, who is effectively condoning it through Minister Chung’s irresponsible remarks and silence.” He added, “North Korea is threatening us with nuclear weapons and missiles, yet the Korea-United States alliance, which is meant to counter this, is being shaken.”
At a press briefing during his visit to the United States, Jang also criticized Chung, saying, “By disregarding diplomatic norms and disclosing confidential matters at will, as Minister Chung has done, serious problems have arisen in relations with the IN and in diplomacy.” He added, “If the president allows such diplomatic blunders by the unification minister, would officials in the United States readily agree to meet South Korean politicians?”
Floor leader Song Eon-seok also said at the meeting that “it has been reported that the United States has already been limiting intelligence sharing with our side for a week,” calling it “the materialization of accumulated risks and a forewarned disaster following remarks aligning with North Korea’s ‘two-state’ narrative.” He stressed, “If Minister Chung is not dismissed, what could have been contained early will become much harder to control.”
During a luncheon meeting with the Democratic Party’s floor leadership, Song urged floor leader Han Byung-do to convey the demand for Chung’s dismissal to the president.
Supreme Council member Kim Min-soo described the situation as “a critical security failure that undermines the firm trust of the Korea-United States alliance,” while youth council member Woo Jae-jun said, “Failing to uphold even basic security principles has led to a situation where our country, which faces North Korea’s nuclear threat most directly, is having its access to information restricted,” calling for Chung’s removal.
Senior spokesperson Park Sung-hoon said in a statement that “Minister Chung’s reckless remarks are shaking the foundation of South Korea’s national security,” adding, “This is a clear security disaster that has broken even the most basic taboos that must be upheld on the front lines of national security.” He added, “As this issue has escalated beyond a simple misstatement into a national security risk, President Lee must make an immediate decision.”
Criticism also came from within the party. Rep. Na Kyung-won wrote on Facebook, “This disaster occurred immediately after Minister Chung publicly mentioned the location of an undisclosed nuclear facility,” adding, “Even if North Korea operates nuclear facilities or launches missiles, if the United States does not share satellite images, we could obtain information later than before — in itself a serious act of self-inflicted damage to national security.”
Rep. Sung Il-jong, chair of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, also wrote on Facebook, “After damaging Korea-United States relations, do you think the United States will continue to provide intelligence?” adding, “I hope the minister reflects on the national harm caused so far.”
Earlier, at a plenary session of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee last month, Chung mentioned Kusong in North Pyongan Province as the location of a North Korean uranium enrichment facility. It was effectively the first time a senior government official publicly identified the site as a nuclear facility. The People Power Party said the United States protested afterward and halted the provision of 50 to 100 pages of North Korea-related intelligence per day.
