Ruling party slams opposition for attacking Lee over nat'l security

On August 21, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) strongly rebuked the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) for criticizing President Lee Jae Myung's statements regarding the reduction of South Korea-U.S. military exercises. DP floor leader Han Byung-do stated at a party leadership meeting that President Lee expressed respect for President Trump's commitment to establishing a peaceful regime on the Korean Peninsula and wholeheartedly agreed that South Korea must shoulder its own security responsibilities.

Earlier, the PPP's Jeong Jeom-sig had lambasted President Lee for his respect towards Trump's decision to scale back the joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S. He questioned the mindset of a commander-in-chief who appears elated after such a significant change. On Thursday, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok further attacked President Lee, branding his remarks as "an unprecedented moral victory."

Jang accused the Lee administration of abandoning security, diplomacy, and the economy, and foretold the people's abandonment of the administration.

Han Byung-do urged the PPP to cease exploiting security concerns and holding the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the safety of the people hostage. He questioned the true allegiance of PPP politicians who persistently attack the Republic of Korea's president, who is striving to strengthen the alliance, while remaining silent on the U.S. president's decision.