I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Saenuri ups pressure on opposition over NLL
By Kang Hyun-kyung
A task force in the ruling Saenuri Party claimed Sunday that the late former President Roh Moo-hyun’s “controversial” remarks on the country’s maritime border with North Korea were not impromptu.
During a summit with the late former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in October 2007, Roh was quoted by the ruling party as saying that South Korea won’t insist on the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a maritime demarcation line in the West Sea.
Rep. Lee Cheol-woo of the Saenuri Party told reporters that Roh made the remarks after meetings with his aides at Cheong Wa Dae, indicating his remarks were not accidental.
“Back then, an expert of the state-run Institute for National Security Strategy made a report on ways to build peace on the Korean Peninsula after he was ordered to do so by Cheong Wa Dae,” Lee said.
“High-ranking officials had a meeting after the confidential report was made. Rep. Moon Jae-in, then presidential chief of staff, the director of National Intelligence Service and the joint chiefs of staff attended the meeting.”
Rep. Lee said all the participants reached a consensus that public discussion on the NLL was needed as the line was drawn unilaterally by the United Nation’s Command.
“Roh received a briefing on the meetings afterwards,” the lawmaker said.
Rep. Lee pressed the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) to jointly hold a Natonal Assembly investigation into Roh’s alleged remarks. The DUP urged the ruling party to show evidence that can support its claims.
On Sunday, Rep. Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate of the DUP, said that as then presidential chief of staff, he would take responsibility if Roh made such remarks.
If the late president was found not to have made such comments, Moon said, Rep. Park Geun-hye, the presidential candidate of the Saenuri Party, would have to take responsibility for the fabrication.