People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo. [Lee Sang-sub]
People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo. [Lee Sang-sub]

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo sharply criticized President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday over the discovery of a suspected North Korean landmine near a beach in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, demanding to know how long the president intended to stay silent about North Korea "turning even South Korea's seas into minefields."

Ahn posted on his Facebook page Saturday under the title "North Korea is turning even South Korea's seas into minefields — how long will President Lee Jae Myung stay silent?" urging the government to act, including resuming anti-North Korea broadcasts, leaflet drops and loudspeaker operations along the border.

"An antipersonnel landmine presumed to have drifted from North Korea was found near Daebinchang Beach on Jumuondo island in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon," he said. "North Korean landmines, previously found in the Demilitarized Zone, are now turning up near our seas and beaches."

Ahn said the discovery posed a direct threat to the safety of residents in border areas and tourists. "Had a tourist stepped on the landmine, it could have led to a horrific tragedy," he said.

He also took direct aim at President Lee's response to the incident.

"It has been more than five days since the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued its final announcement on Monday, yet President Lee Jae Myung has maintained complete silence," Ahn said. "In the countless posts he puts up on X, formerly Twitter, you cannot find the word 'North' — let alone 'landmine.'"

He urged the president to take countermeasures commensurate with North Korea's provocation — whether resuming anti-North Korea broadcasts, leaflet drops or loudspeaker installations along the border. "If you lack the courage to act, at least issue a statement on X condemning the North," he said.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com