Ruling Party Criticizes Unification Minister Jeong Jong-heon's Remarks on "Halting Military Firing Drills" as "Declaring the Dismantling of National Security"

"Could Constitute Treason... Minister's Anti-Constitutional Remarks Warrant Punishment, Including Dismissal"

Unification Minister Jeong Jong-heon speaking (Paju = Yonhap News) Reporter Lim Byung-sik = Unification Minister Jeong Jong-heon speaks at a discussion forum commemorating the 7th anniversary of the Sept. 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration held at Camp Greaves in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 19th. 2025.9.19 andphotodo@yna.co.kr

The People Power Party (PPP) on the 26th criticized Unification Minister Jeong Jong-heon's remarks, such as "North and South are de facto two states" and "it is right to cease firing drills and live-fire exercises in the vicinity of the Military Demarcation Line," calling them "an act of self-destruction of national security."

PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok stated at a party strategy meeting that day, "North Korea remains silent, so I cannot understand why we should declare the dismantling of South Korea's security on our own." He added, "President Lee Jae-myung must take immediate disciplinary action, including dismissal, against personnel who repeatedly make anti-constitutional and anti-unification remarks like Minister Jeong."

He further pressed on Minister Jeong's "two-state theory for North and South," asserting that it "directly violates Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which aims for peaceful unification." He also stated, "It contradicts the government's position. The President must directly clarify this."

PPP Spokesperson Cho Yong-sul, in a statement that day, criticized Minister Jeong's announcement that he was consulting with the Ministry of National Defense on halting firing drills in the vicinity of the Military Demarcation Line, saying, "Since the Sept. 19 Military Agreement, North Korea has violated the agreement a staggering 4,050 times, starting with coastal artillery firing from Changrin Island in the West Sea up until last June. Despite this, the administration is trying to tie the hands of our military and disarm it."

He continued, "Thorough accountability is necessary. Furthermore, the question of whether this could constitute treason cannot be avoided." He criticized, "Acts that shake the national system in accordance with North Korea's demands are clearly illogical."

Minister Jeong stated at a press briefing held at the Government Complex Seoul that day that North and South are "de facto two states." When asked about measures to restore the Sept. 19 Military Agreement, he replied, "Even before restoration, it is right to cease firing drills and live-fire exercises in the vicinity of the Military Demarcation Line," adding that he was consulting with the Ministry of National Defense. Yonhap News