People Power Party calls for unification minister's resignation over North Korea response
In short
South Korea's People Power Party demanded Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's resignation on October 10, accusing him of a submissive response to North Korea. The party also urged President Lee Jae-myung to dismiss him, linking its criticism to Kim Yo-jong's remarks and Chung's comments on a DMZ mine explosion.
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South Korea's People Power Party called on October 10 for Unification Minister Chung Dong-young to resign immediately, accusing him of maintaining a submissive stance despite criticism from North Korea's Kim Yo-jong. The party's chief spokesperson said Chung had not offered a substantive response after Kim criticised the ministry's proposal for medical assistance to North Korea. The spokesperson also urged President Lee Jae-myung to dismiss Chung immediately. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
The spokesperson argued that Chung had given North Korea grounds for its claims, citing a North Korean representative's mention of the minister at a United Nations General Assembly committee on October 8. A People Power Party lawmaker said Chung's remarks at a parliamentary audit had provided an excuse for North Korea to evade responsibility for a DMZ mine explosion. The lawmaker called for a complete overhaul of the foreign-policy and security team and said the government should explain the confusion over the issue. [ 1 , 4 ]
Dong-A Ilbo reported that Chung, at an October 7 parliamentary audit in Seoul, responded to a demand to classify a September 21 mine explosion as a North Korean attack by saying he did not think it could yet be specified as a mine attack. The newspaper also reported that Kim, in remarks on October 8, cited Chung's comments while reiterating that North Korea was not responsible. Separately, the Reform Party's chief spokesperson called on Lee to replace Chung and reorganise the foreign-policy and security team. Newsis reported that the People Power Party spokesperson also demanded prompt measures to respond firmly to North Korean provocations. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The criticism included calls to replace the minister and overhaul the foreign-policy and security team. Party figures argued that Chung's remarks helped North Korea deny responsibility for the mine explosion; that assessment was their claim.
Key facts
- The People Power Party demanded Chung Dong-young's immediate resignation on October 10. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The party's chief spokesperson accused Chung of failing to respond adequately to Kim Yo-jong's criticism of proposed medical aid to North Korea. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- At an October 7 parliamentary audit, Chung said he did not think the mine explosion could yet be specified as a mine attack, Dong-A Ilbo reported. [ 2 ]
- The party's chief spokesperson called on the president to dismiss Chung immediately. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Reform Party also called for Chung's replacement and a reorganisation of the foreign-policy and security team. [ 1 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Chung's remarks enabled North Korea to evade responsibility was a political accusation. Party representatives made the claim; the reports do not independently establish it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reported the People Power Party's resignation demand and calls to reorganise the security team. [ 1 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reported Chung's October 7 comments alongside the party's criticism. [ 2 ]
- Newsis reported the party spokesperson's call for dismissal and measures to respond firmly to North Korean provocations. [ 5 ]