Refusing to answer over "like catching a rat" remark... Han Dong-hoon and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun trade barbs at audit

[Financial News] Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon traded barbs during a National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th. The two clashed while comparing the South Korean government's response to a North Korean military landmine accident with its response to the Ukrainian government's behind-closed-doors decision regarding the repatriation of two North Korean soldiers.
Han asked, "You can't even utter a peep when Kim Yo Jong makes an announcement, yet you hound only Ukraine like you're catching a rat. Is North Korea the enemy, or is Ukraine the enemy?"
The dispute began when Cho pushed back, saying, "As long as you use the expression 'like catching a rat,' I refuse to answer." Cho also responded directly to Han, saying, "Please don't interrupt me while I'm answering" and "Please don't twist my words like that." Han criticized Cho's manner of speaking and remarked, "The public is watching. Please don't get angry."
As the confrontation with Han continued, Cho urged committee chair Song Seok-joon of the People Power Party to ensure smooth proceedings. Song then warned Cho that his conduct constituted an abuse of authority and demanded an apology.
Han also pressed Cho, asking why he was being firm only with Ukraine when he did not take the same approach with North Korea. Cho, however, stood his ground, saying, "It is only natural to be firm with North Korea."
Han also asked whether President Lee Jae Myung had consulted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance before posting on social media that Ukraine was seeking to trigger a war on the Korean Peninsula. Cho replied that the matter had been discussed comprehensively.
During the audit, lawmakers also questioned the veracity of media reports that Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and Cho had recently clashed at the National Security Council (NSC) over independent sanctions against North Korea for a landmine incident.
At an NSC standing committee meeting held on the 1st, Cho was reportedly said to have proposed independent sanctions against North Korea in response to cyberterrorism. Media reports subsequently said that raised voices were exchanged as Chung opposed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' proposal. Cho denied that there had been a clash, saying, "There may be differences of opinion, but it was not a clash." He added, "Minister Chung is trying to find even the smallest opening because inter-Korean relations are deadlocked."

[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter