Kim Yo-jong, director of the Korean Workers' Party General Affairs Department [Yonhap]
Kim Yo-jong, director of the Korean Workers' Party General Affairs Department [Yonhap]

PPP: Kim Yo-jong 'denies probe findings, mocks injured troops'

Lee's 'unforeseen accident' phrasing draws criticism for not naming North Korea

North fires ballistic missile day after Kim Yo-jong statement, raising tensions

The People Power Party urged President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday to "clearly condemn Kim Yo-jong's repeated outrageous remarks," after the North Korean Workers' Party official dismissed the demilitarized zone mine explosion as a "self-staged farce." Tensions rose further Saturday morning when North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea, a day after Kim's latest statement.

People Power Party floor spokesperson Choi Eun-seok said in a statement Saturday that "it is also the president's duty to lodge a firm protest against North Korea for denying our military's investigation findings and mocking the injuries of our troops, and to hold it accountable."

Choi criticized Kim for going beyond denying responsibility, saying she was "repeatedly insulting our military's investigation findings and the Republic of Korea itself."

The Joint Chiefs of Staff had announced preliminary investigation results on Sept. 21 indicating that a mine planted by North Korean troops was the most likely cause of the DMZ explosion on the western front. South Korea subsequently demanded an apology and responsible action from the North, but Kim denied any involvement on Wednesday, calling it "Seoul's self-staged farce."

Kim issued another statement Friday, referencing both the JCS investigation findings and President Lee's Armed Forces Day address. She said it was "the climax of a farce too good to keep to oneself — it seems the second act of the self-staged farce has begun." On North Korea's border fortification, she claimed the purpose was "to permanently shut the door so that South Korea will have no reason to face us, and not even wild animals can pass through."

The People Power Party also took issue with President Lee's description of the mine explosion as an "unforeseen accident" in his Armed Forces Day address Thursday. Choi said Lee "offered comfort to the injured troops and their families, but urged trust-building and dialogue restoration without directly naming North Korea's responsibility."

In that address, Lee said he would "consistently pursue practical measures to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas," adding that he "expects and urges the North to now join the path of restoring trust and reopening severed dialogue."

Choi acknowledged that "dialogue is necessary," but stressed that "the government's patience must not be read by North Korea as a signal that anything goes."

He added that "what the people have entrusted the president with is not monitoring North Korea's mood, but defending the Republic of Korea," and called on Lee to "demonstrate the will to protect our troops and citizens through a thorough investigation, accountability, and effective measures to prevent recurrence."

Cheong Wa Dae responded to Kim's Friday statement, saying that "disparaging remarks toward our government and president do not help build mutual trust," and urged the North to "stop unproductive criticism and join our efforts for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula."

Meanwhile, North Korea fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area into the East Sea at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the day after Kim's statement. The National Security Office convened an emergency security situation review meeting with the Defense Ministry, the JCS and other relevant agencies to assess the response and review military readiness.


hong@heraldcorp.com