Chung Dong-young Returns Early from European Trip; People Power Party Says, "Overseas Trip Amid North Korean Landmine Terror"

[Financial News]  Chung Dong-young, minister of the Ministry of Unification (MOU), canceled his extended European trip midway and returned home early on Oct. 1 to focus on the North Korean landmine explosion incident. He had faced criticism for leaving on an extended trip to Europe amid a North Korean landmine explosion in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Chung had been visiting three European countries—the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland, Ireland and Germany—from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5 on a six-night, eight-day itinerary. His main engagements included visits to peace facilities in Northern Ireland and attendance at a German Unity Day ceremony.
The People Power Party had criticized Chung for leaving the country ahead of questioning by the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly amid the North Korean landmine terror incident. As the controversy continued, Chung brought forward his return by four days and decided to return home early to address domestic issues.
The People Power Party said, "Minister Chung went ahead with his departure despite criticism that he was embarking on a European junket ahead of the government questioning on the landmine issue by the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly."
A full meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly was held the previous day at the request of the People Power Party, but the Democratic Party of Korea, Chung Dong-young, minister of the Ministry of Unification (MOU), and Cho Hyun, minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), were all absent.
Kim Dae-sik, the People Power Party's secretary on the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly, criticized the government, saying, "North Korea claimed that the DMZ explosion was a staged operation and completely denied responsibility." He added, "Shouldn't the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification appear before the National Assembly and explain the situation to the public?"
As he headed home, Chung wrote on Facebook, "This must not become an excuse to disparage or distort efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula." Regarding the North Korean landmine explosion incident, he added, "Rather than engaging in wasteful political bickering, we must deeply reflect on why such unfortunate incidents keep recurring and seek fundamental solutions."
[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter