Rising External Uncertainties Prompt Calls for Caution from Ruling Party; Opposition Says President Lee Jae Myung Is the "Greatest Risk"

[Financial News] As rapidly changing international circumstances have sharply increased the external uncertainties surrounding South Korea, the Democratic Party of Korea has called for a cautious response, while the People Power Party criticized President Lee Jae Myung, saying he is "the greatest diplomatic risk."
The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea held a plenary session on the 10th for questioning of the government on diplomacy, security and unification. Kim Seok-gi of the People Power Party, the first lawmaker to take the floor, argued, "I believe President Lee Jae Myung is the greatest risk to South Korea's diplomacy."
Kim said, "The Japan policies of the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the Lee Jae Myung administration are headed in the same general direction," but added, "When President Lee was party leader, however, he harshly criticized the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's diplomacy toward Japan as being, in effect, 'pro-Japanese diplomacy and humiliating diplomacy.'"
He pointed out, "It is the same diplomatic direction, yet when someone else does it, it is called pro-Japanese and treasonous, while when he does it, it is called pragmatism," adding, "What kind of double standard is this?"
He continued, "The Japanese government and some Japanese politicians also find this strange," claiming, "They wonder why President Lee, who previously stirred up anti-Japanese sentiment, changed his attitude. They are also concerned that his attitude could suddenly change by 180 degrees from what it is now."
He added, "In other words, they do not trust President Lee. This is not how diplomacy should be conducted."
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook rebutted Kim's claims, saying, "You understand that trust between the two countries is important, and that the more frequently the leaders of the two countries meet, the deeper their understanding becomes and the better their relationship grows." She added, "I had an opportunity to meet former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba when he visited South Korea recently. Prime Minister Ishiba also said that President Lee is viewed favorably in Japan."
The Democratic Party of Korea emphasized that South Korea should respond cautiously to the issue of deploying troops to the Strait of Hormuz in cooperation with Japan and the international community.
Lee Kwang-jae of the Democratic Party of Korea stressed that the government must carefully consider any deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. In particular, he urged South Korea to coordinate its response with neighboring Japan.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yunju said, "We are monitoring the developments within Japan and how discussions on the deployment are proceeding," while adding, "Several countries in the international community are closely watching the situation in the Strait of Hormuz."   
[email protected] Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter