Ruling party denounces NK-led unification views expressed at Assembly seminar

This Sept. 20, 2023, file photo shows Rep. Youn Mee-hyang leaving the Seoul High Court in southern Seoul. The ruling People Power Party on Wednesday denounced an opposition lawmaker for co-hosting a seminar at the National Assembly, in which it said “ludicrous” views on North Korea were expressed. Newsis

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday denounced an opposition lawmaker for co-hosting a seminar at the National Assembly, during which it said “ludicrous” views on North Korea were expressed.

Rep. Youn Mee-hyang, who was expelled by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea in 2021 amid corruption investigations, came under criticism for collaborating with left-wing civic groups to organize the event for “sympathizers of North Korea” on Jan. 24.

Among the speakers was Kim Kwang-soo, director of Hana Center, a Busan-based group. He reportedly said, if the North Korean regime starts a “war for unification” and if that war can bring peace eventually, South Korea should “accept” it.

He then said South Korean unification campaigners should step up efforts more aggressively “beyond the boundary of the national security law” as North Korea moves to abandon such efforts.

Other participants also expressed hardline views, criticizing South Korea’s expanded security cooperation with the U.S. and Japan and praising North Korea for its self-reliance of national defense.

In a statement, Kang Sa-bin, a deputy spokesman for the PPP, criticized Youn for being part of such an “anti-government” event at a time when the North is amplifying its nuclear threats.

“We strongly condemn Youn for hosting the ‘pro-North Korean’ seminar at the Assembly,” he said. “She should apologize to the people over the anti-government acts.”