Debate Over Repatriation of North Korean Prisoners... Ruling Party Calls It "Reasonable," Opposition Says "No Reason for Secrecy"

Ruling Party Defends Government Over Prisoner Repatriation Disclosure
Some Within Party Ask, "Why Not Make It Public?"
Opposition Cites "Appeasing North Korea,"
Also Criticizes DMZ Incident

While the South Korean government was at odds with Ukraine over whether to make public the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, a political battle also broke out between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly. The ruling party defended the government’s actions as common-sense measures, while the opposition party criticized them, claiming the government was overly concerned with North Korea’s reaction.

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th, delivering opening remarks.

On September 28, the Democratic Party of Korea continued to maintain its position that the government’s decision to conduct the repatriation of North Korean POWs from Ukraine privately was based on humanitarian and human rights principles. Park Sungjoon, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, explained the day before, “Pursuing the matter privately to guarantee the safety of defectors and minimize unnecessary provocation and conflict is an entirely reasonable course of action.”

The Democratic Party has been responding directly not only to the issue of prisoner repatriation but also to other security issues raised daily by opposition parties, such as the explosion accident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). On this day, party leader Kim Minseok also highlighted the importance of a ‘peace regime.’ Kim noted, “Many of the problems we are now facing are ultimately connected to the establishment of peace,” adding, “The party will deal more proactively with matters concerning inter-Korean relations and peace.”

However, even within the ruling bloc, some voiced disappointment with the government’s response. Park Jie-won, a Democratic Party assemblyman and former Director of the National Intelligence Service, remarked, “Why is it impossible to disclose that the POWs were handed over from Ukraine on humanitarian grounds? If there is no follow-up explanation, even to me as a member of the National Assembly’s intelligence committee, is the government disregarding its own party members?”

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is giving a opening speech at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th.

The People Power Party responded that there was no reason not to make the prisoner repatriation public. At the Supreme Council meeting that day, party leader Jang Donghyuk said, “The POWs’ faces have already been made public, and even their intention to come to South Korea has been confirmed. The only reason to hide it would be Kim Jong Un’s discomfort.” Jang also raised further questions about the POW repatriation and the DMZ incident during his meeting with Defense Minister Kang Shinchul that morning.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.