"Dismiss Jeong Dong-young," conservative opposition boils over as MOU says it will respond to North Korea with patience

[Financial News] Calls from the conservative opposition urging President Lee Jae Myung to dismiss Minister of Unification Jeong Dong-young are growing louder. They argue that the South Korea–United States alliance is facing a crisis as suspicions persist that Jeong leaked top-secret U.S. information related to the location of a new North Korean nuclear facility in Kusong, North Pyongan Province. It has also been reported that U.S. concerns over Jeong's remarks have led to a week-long suspension of North Korea-related intelligence sharing with the South Korean government. Confusion between the foreign ministry and the unification ministry has also continued during efforts to contain the fallout.
Jeong, however, denied the allegations that he leaked top-secret U.S. information. Meeting reporters at Government Complex Seoul on the 20th, he said, "I hope everything is judged with the national interest at the center," and added, "I am concerned that some are spreading claims of a crisis in South Korea-U.S. relations, even though there is no problem, at a time when the security environment is severe because of the war in the Middle East." He also stated, "I was explaining policy to convey the seriousness of the North Korean nuclear issue, and it is deeply regrettable that this is being framed as an intelligence leak."
The Ministry of Unification maintained that the nuclear facility location in Kusong, North Pyongan Province, which Jeong cited, was already public information. The ministry explained that Kusong had been mentioned in an Institute for Science and International Security report in 2016, in an interview with Bruce Bennett of RAND Corporation in 2024, and in a CSIS report last year.
Asked about views that the conflict stems from tensions between the so-called "alliance faction" and "self-reliance faction" within the government, Jeong said, "I do not think so." It has been reported that some diplomatic channels in the South Korean government had already raised concerns over Jeong's alleged leak. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea said on the day that it had "nothing to confirm" regarding whether the US had imposed restrictions on North Korea-related intelligence sharing.
Jeong also said that restrictions on information sharing with the US had "occurred intermittently in the past" and that he hoped the issue would be resolved smoothly through close communication between Seoul and Washington.
Meanwhile, as US intelligence sharing on North Korea has been suspended, North Korea has continued test launches of weapons of mass destruction, known as the "devil's weapon," intensifying threats against the South without hesitation.
It was also revealed that the new tactical ballistic missile "Hwasong-11D," launched by North Korea on the 19th, carried not only cluster munitions but also air-dropped mines in its warhead, maximizing its lethality. It has not been confirmed whether detailed information on the latest missile launch was shared in the absence of North Korea intelligence sharing between South Korea and the US.
Regarding North Korea's missile provocation, the Ministry of Unification said, "North Korea's distrust of the South remains deeply rooted. It will likely take time for these issues to be resolved," adding, "The government will respond with patience." This means it will continue to pursue its long-standing peace policy toward North Korea.
By contrast, the leadership of the People Power Party (PPP) urged President Lee Jae Myung to dismiss Jeong immediately. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said, "Even now, President Lee must completely revise the framework of North Korea and foreign policy based on national security and the protection of national interests." Floor leader Song Eon-seok called it "an unprecedented diplomatic and security disaster caused by the Jeong Dong-young risk," warning that "if President Lee does not dismiss Minister Jeong now, it may be impossible to fix with a shovel what could have been handled with a hoe."

rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter