PM calls Pyongyang's dialogue offer 'deceiving'
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, second from left, pledges allegiance along with others attending the 66th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, Saturday. / Yonhap
By Ko Dong-hwan
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn condemned North Korea's latest test of mid-range missiles earlier this week in his speech commemorating the Korean War that began on June 25, 1950, saying that the test proves Pyongyang’s offer to hold inter-Korean dialogue is “deceiving.”
"North Korea's reckless provocations show how deceiving its offer is to hold inter-Korean dialogue," said Hwang at Jamsil Indoor Stadium. "The government will protect the peace of the Korean Peninsula against North Korea's provocations based on thorough preparations and cooperation with the international community."
Hwang said during the speech that commemorated the 66th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War that although years have passed since the ceasefire, Korea’s security “remains unstable as a divided country,"
The two Koreas technically remain at war to this day, since the war ended in a ceasefire, not a peace treaty.
The North fired what was believed to be two Musudan mid-range missiles from near Wonsan on its eastern coast, Wednesday. The latest launches follow four failed launches of the Musudan missile since April. After Pyongyang held its party congress in May, it repeatedly offered to hold inter-Korea talks. But the South dismissed the offers as propaganda ploys without sincerity and called for the North to give up its nuclear weapons first.
Hwang vowed to expand support for war veterans, adding the government will continue to express gratitude to the allies who stood with Seoul during the war.
Political parties from the South paid tribute to those who lost their lives while fighting in the war.
"Tensions on the peninsula continue due to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development. Beefing up national security has become more important than ever," said Ji Sang-wuk, spokesman for the ruling Saenuri Party.
The main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea’s spokesman Song Ok-joo said that the South needs to strengthen its national security against Pyongyang's military threats, but also stressed the need to seek dialogue with the North.
"Peace should be set on the basis of strong national security. The first step (toward peace) would start from dialog with North Korea," Song said.