On Monday, Jang Dong Hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, criticized the response of President Lee Jae Myung and the government to North Korea’s drone incursion, calling it beyond humiliating and utterly absurd.
During a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that morning, Jang stated that the president had gone as far as responding to what he called North Korea’s unilateral claims and had even ordered investigations into South Korean citizens over alleged serious crimes.
He pointed out that Kim Yo Jong of North Korea mocked the Defense Ministry’s explanation as a wise choice while simultaneously issuing threats, claiming that many more aerial objects would be seen in the future. Jang noted that despite repeatedly sending drones and launching propaganda balloons, North Korea has never admitted to or apologized for its actions.
Jang argued that if the South Korean military had done nothing wrong, it should have remained silent, adding that a brief dismissal from the president would have been sufficient to end the issue. He criticized the administration by saying it appeared more concerned about Kim Jong Un and North Korea than about the safety of South Korean citizens.
Jang also addressed allegations that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport had concealed an August report claiming that improperly installed concrete mounds caused the Muan Airport passenger plane incident. He said there had been no proper investigation for more than a year and placed responsibility on the Democratic Party.
He argued that similar concerns were dismissed under the Roh Moo Hyun and Moon Jae In administrations. He claimed that during the tenure of former Land Minister Kim Hyun Mi, a Democratic Party member, the ministry reinforced the concrete mounds rather than address the problem.
Jang called for a special investigation, insisting that those responsible, regardless of their position, must be identified and severely punished.
He also expressed unconditional support for a proposal by Reform Party leader Lee Jun Seok to pursue legislation for a special investigation into the Unification Church through cooperation among three opposition parties. Jang said no additional conditions or justification were needed for the bill, adding that its passage alone would serve as sufficient justification. He again urged Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, to join the effort.