Arguments made during a public debate organized by South Korean independent lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang have sparked a heated discussion. Notably, some participants suggested a level of receptiveness towards North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s approach to war.
On Jan. 24, Yoon’s office initiated an urgent debate titled ‘Understanding the fundamental changes in inter-Korean relations and the crisis on the Korean Peninsula – seeking a peaceful solution.’ This event was held held in the National Assembly Members’ Office Building conference room and featured key speakers expressing opinions such as, “If peace can be achieved through a unification war, we should be open to it,” and “Considering North Korea’s war as a just war, and given their determination for unification even through conflict, we must consider this direction.”
Last month, Kim Jong-un declared the South and North Korea as “hostile belligerents” rather than “kinsmen aiming for reunification” during a plenary meeting of the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP). He also threatened to “deploy nuclear weapons to pacify South Korea entirely in case of an emergency.” In light of these developments, some statements from the National Assembly seem to accept this stance.
The event saw collaboration from 20 civil society groups, including Kyoreh Hana, the People’s Coalition for the Abolition of Article 7 of the National Security Act, and the National Council of Student Representatives (Jeondaehyeop) association. Kim Kwang-soo, the director of Hana-Center for Peace and Unification in Busan, was the keynote speaker, discussing ‘Changing Perceptions of North Korea and the Peace and Unification Movement.’
Kim remarked on North Korea’s recent stance towards the South, stating, “War should be a last resort, but if it’s inevitable and peace can result from a unification war, we must embrace this perspective.” He referred to this as a “significant shift in perception,” emphasizing, “This must be our approach to peace on the divided Korean Peninsula.”
Kim Jong-un reiterated his strategy for ‘complete territorial conquest’ during the KWP meeting last month and in September when he announced the nuclear preemptive strike law. He asserted, “Our perspective on war is one of justice. We are resolute in our goals: to conquer, pacify, and reintegrate through complete territorial control.”
Kim Kwang-soo told the Chosunilbo on Jan. 30, “I do not support North Korea’s war assertions. As a scholar, my analysis of North Korea’s stance comes from an ‘intrinsic approach.’” He explained that he intended to comprehend North Korea’s position more deeply.
