By Choi Ha-young
Opposition parties and some experts criticized President Moon Jae-in, Thursday, over what they called his dubious stance on North Korea's provocations.
One issue in contention is a pledge he made to prevent a pre-emptive attack on North Korea in the wake of the North's latest missile test, Wednesday, apparently referring to military options being considered by the United States. Hardliners claim such remarks will discomfort Washington while making Pyongyang misunderstand the situation.
In the National Security Council meeting held in response to the missile launch, Moon said, "The country should prevent the situation in which North Korea poses a nuclear threat based on misjudgment or if the United States considers a preemptive attack against Pyongyang."
Until now, the President had avoided using the words "pre-emptive attack." Instead of using the term, he called for "peace" and "opposition to war."
"That wording could undermine international society's diplomatic leverage in dealing with missile threats," said Rep. Kim Young-woo of the conservative Liberty Korea Party, chairman of the National Assembly National Defense Committee. "The government keeps showing its hand to Pyongyang and the North is gaining time to advance its missile and nuclear capacity."
Rep. Yoo Seong-min, chairman of the Bareun Party, echoed the point. "We can attract the North to the dialogue table by showing the military option is valid," Yoo said in a party meeting Thursday.
Rep. Kim Joong-ro of the liberal People's Party, also a member of the committee, said the remark was a strategic blunder that may increase unnecessary tension.
"Of course, the leading members of the government should prepare a possible pre-emptive attack low-key, even though both Washington and Pyongyang are unlikely to make such an error," Kim Joong-ro said. "According to the remark, the government doesn't need to rush to complete a Kill Chain pre-emptive strike system."
Experts view the wording shows a hawkish stance within the U.S. that spilled over into Seoul, following the North's escalating missile development as seen by its launch of a Hwasong-15. North Korea proved its capacity to hit any target in the U.S. through its latest test.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley's remark reflects America's growing concern. "The dictator of North Korea made a decision yesterday that brings us closer to war," Haley said at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. "We have never sought war with North Korea and still today we do not seek it."
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said the President's unprecedented message intended to warn the North not to worsen the circumstances.
He dismissed the possibility of a U.S.'s pre-emptive attack against Pyongyang without informing Seoul about it.
"The military option is one of many various options, but President Donald Trump reaffirmed he would discuss this with South Korea beforehand," Lee told reporters Wednesday.
The liberal administration's clear-cut opposition to redeploying tactical nuclear weapons narrows its range of options, Rep. Yoo said Wednesday. "President Moon seems to have abandoned all nuclear options that could be very effective in dealing with the North."
Rep. Kim Joong-ro, who has been vocal about South Korea's nuclear roadmap, reiterated the point. "South Korea can exert influence on the U.S., North Korea and China, by floating nuclear options ― tactical nuclear weapons redeployment and its own nuclear armament," he said. "Cheong Wa Dae doesn't need to flatly turn down everything about nuclear weapons."
Opposition parties and some experts criticized President Moon Jae-in, Thursday, over what they called his dubious stance on North Korea's provocations.
One issue in contention is a pledge he made to prevent a pre-emptive attack on North Korea in the wake of the North's latest missile test, Wednesday, apparently referring to military options being considered by the United States. Hardliners claim such remarks will discomfort Washington while making Pyongyang misunderstand the situation.
In the National Security Council meeting held in response to the missile launch, Moon said, "The country should prevent the situation in which North Korea poses a nuclear threat based on misjudgment or if the United States considers a preemptive attack against Pyongyang."
Until now, the President had avoided using the words "pre-emptive attack." Instead of using the term, he called for "peace" and "opposition to war."
"That wording could undermine international society's diplomatic leverage in dealing with missile threats," said Rep. Kim Young-woo of the conservative Liberty Korea Party, chairman of the National Assembly National Defense Committee. "The government keeps showing its hand to Pyongyang and the North is gaining time to advance its missile and nuclear capacity."
Rep. Yoo Seong-min, chairman of the Bareun Party, echoed the point. "We can attract the North to the dialogue table by showing the military option is valid," Yoo said in a party meeting Thursday.
Rep. Kim Joong-ro of the liberal People's Party, also a member of the committee, said the remark was a strategic blunder that may increase unnecessary tension.
"Of course, the leading members of the government should prepare a possible pre-emptive attack low-key, even though both Washington and Pyongyang are unlikely to make such an error," Kim Joong-ro said. "According to the remark, the government doesn't need to rush to complete a Kill Chain pre-emptive strike system."
Experts view the wording shows a hawkish stance within the U.S. that spilled over into Seoul, following the North's escalating missile development as seen by its launch of a Hwasong-15. North Korea proved its capacity to hit any target in the U.S. through its latest test.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley's remark reflects America's growing concern. "The dictator of North Korea made a decision yesterday that brings us closer to war," Haley said at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. "We have never sought war with North Korea and still today we do not seek it."
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said the President's unprecedented message intended to warn the North not to worsen the circumstances.
He dismissed the possibility of a U.S.'s pre-emptive attack against Pyongyang without informing Seoul about it.
"The military option is one of many various options, but President Donald Trump reaffirmed he would discuss this with South Korea beforehand," Lee told reporters Wednesday.
The liberal administration's clear-cut opposition to redeploying tactical nuclear weapons narrows its range of options, Rep. Yoo said Wednesday. "President Moon seems to have abandoned all nuclear options that could be very effective in dealing with the North."
Rep. Kim Joong-ro, who has been vocal about South Korea's nuclear roadmap, reiterated the point. "South Korea can exert influence on the U.S., North Korea and China, by floating nuclear options ― tactical nuclear weapons redeployment and its own nuclear armament," he said. "Cheong Wa Dae doesn't need to flatly turn down everything about nuclear weapons."
