Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
Ruling DPK to push forward NK food aid
Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during a meeting with citizens in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Hwang, who has embarked on a nationwide tour on Tuesday to protest the government, said he is against President Moon Jae-in's idea of having a meeting with him and other political parties over giving food assistance to North Korea. Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Friday it will begin discussions with party leaders regarding the provision of food aid to North Korea, after President Moon Jae-in continued to push the plan despite repeated missile launches by Pyongyang.
The DPK said it welcomed President Moon's idea of sending food to the impoverished North to build mutual trust.
“We should build more trust between the Koreas by giving immediate humanitarian assistance to the North. The North's military acts are against peace building on the peninsula. But food assistance should be regarded as separate from the missile launches,” DPK floor leader Rep. Lee In-young told reporters after a party meeting. Lee also said it was desirable to form a standing council among the political parties to discuss state affairs.
DPK spokesman Lee Hae-shik said Moon's interview with a local broadcaster to celebrate the second anniversary of his inauguration, showed his authenticity and leadership and “won the people's trust.”
In 2017, the unification ministry approved using $8 million for humanitarian assistance, but did not spend the money after the North conducted a nuclear and missile tests that year.
President Moon asked the political parties to reach a consensus on providing humanitarian aid to the North.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) lashed out at President Moon's desire to give food assistance to the North and called for further sanctions on the regime.
In response to Moon asking for a consensus, LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn told reporters: “There is no point meeting with President Moon and other political parties only to discuss the food assistant issue. I am willing to accept Moon's request to have meetings if he wants to talk about overall issues such as the fast-tracking of reform bills.”
Several hours before Moon's interview, North Korea launched two short-range missiles, its second set of launches following those on May 4. They occurred around 4:30 p.m. (KST) at the North's Sino-ri missile base, which is believed to house Rodong short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.
Hwang embarked on a one-month-long nationwide tour Tuesday to protest the government's “dictatorship regime” and “poor performance” in the economic and security sectors.
“Generally speaking, it is desirable to help North Korea. But it is dependent on the situation,” Hwang said, claiming the North is now focusing on developing nuclear weapons. “For now, strict sanctions are needed on the North.”
Meanwhile, the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP) sided with the LKP's criticism of Moon's North Korea policy, criticizing him for not changing his stance despite the recent missile launches.
“Moon is busy defending the North. It doesn't change even when the North has launched missiles. Moon is unilaterally pushing his income-driven policy that is endangering the economy,” party officials said.