On Thursday, National Security Office Director Wi Seong-lac downplayed concerns about a potential rift between the Blue House and government ministries regarding Unification Minister Chung Dong-young’s hint at a possible apology for North Korean drone incursions. Wi clarified that interpreting Minister Chung’s statement, he’s not suggesting immediate action. Rather, he’s indicating that it should consider the options once it reaches a conclusion. There’s no significant divergence in its positions.
During an interview with Yonhap News TV, Wi stated that he doesn’t believe there’s any disconnect in the understanding of the situation.
Addressing North Korea’s claims of South Korean drone incursions, Wi commented that while it can’t view this as a positive development for inter-Korean relations, he believes that with the right approach, it can effectively manage the situation and potentially use it to shift the overall atmosphere.
He emphasized that the key is to handle this matter calmly and rationally. The investigation process has begun. Neither the government nor the military were involved in any drone incursions. It is currently looking into potential civilian-related matters.
Wi further explained that if civilians were involved, it would violate current laws and potentially breach the armistice agreement. However, armistice violations aren’t exclusive to us. There have been instances during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration where the military took action, as well as previous cases of North Korean drones entering the airspace. It needs to consider all these factors objectively when formulating the response.
The National Security Director added that it should address the situation as it stands and engage in dialogue when necessary. Discussions are ongoing within the government, and given that they’re in the early stages, it anticipates extensive debate on this matter.
Regarding the recent South Korea-Japan summit, Wi noted that contrary to public expectations that President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wouldn’t get along, their meeting revealed a surprisingly strong personal rapport. This connection is our greatest asset in addressing inter-Korean relations.
He continued that the strategy is to leverage this relationship to build cooperation and use the momentum gained to tackle historical issues.
Addressing Takaichi’s previous stance on sending a ministerial-level delegation on Takeshima (Dokdo) Day, Wi remarked that a politician’s personal views often evolve when they assume broader national responsibilities. Currently, they’re seeing growing friendships and exchanges between the countries, with a shared commitment to maintaining a positive atmosphere. Within this context, Wi is optimistic about the ability to resolve challenging issues.
On China’s export controls of rare earth elements to Japan, Wi stated that this situation directly affects us due to the interconnected nature of China, South Korea, and Japan’s economies. It’s crucial to stabilize supply chains and avoid over-reliance on any single source. It needs to engage in strategic hedging to mitigate potential risks.
He concluded that they’re actively collaborating on supply chain issues with both China and Japan, reaching numerous agreements and establishing cooperation platforms. Furthermore, it aims to play a pivotal role in minimizing conflicts among neighboring countries.