Han Dong-hoon: "President Lee has made a wrong first move… The delay in the phone call is also an intended message"

Former representative Han Dong-hoon of the People Power Party has shared his opinion on President Lee Jae-myung's appointments in foreign and security affairs.

He stated, "The decision to appoint an individual known for pro-North Korea tendencies as the head of the National Intelligence Service is a mistaken decision," asserting, "In a situation where the United States is suspecting the Lee Jae-myung government of being 'pro-China', such appointments undermine alliance trust."

On the evening of the 6th, during a live broadcast on the YouTube channel 'Han Dong-hoon', the former representative expressed these views.

He analyzed that the background of President Lee's phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump just three days after his inauguration likely involved strategic considerations from the U.S. He also suggested, "The U.S. intentionally delayed the phone call. This, in itself, was an uncomfortable signal and message."

"Appointment of Lee Jong-seok could create distrust in the U.S."

In particular, the former representative voiced concern regarding the appointment of former Minister of Unification Lee Jong-seok, classified as a 'pro-sovereignty' figure during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, stating, "Even within the U.S., this person is recognized as 'pro-North Korea.'" He continued, "If such a person is appointed as the head of the National Intelligence Service, the U.S. will naturally question, 'Can we trust this?'"

He emphasized, "In the current situation where the Lee Jae-myung government is suspected of being 'pro-China', appointing someone like Lee Jong-seok is the worst choice. For the sake of national interest, we must clearly establish cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. We must not create misunderstandings that we are moving towards a North-China-Russia bloc."

He also expressed concern about Kim Min-seok, a senior member of the Democratic Party, being mentioned as a candidate for Prime Minister. He remarked, "Candidate Kim was involved in the past U.S. cultural center occupation incident," adding, "The U.S. does not take such a history lightly."

"We must abandon a Peninsula-centric approach… Be cautious about the transfer of wartime operational control"

The former representative evaluated that President Lee conducting the first phone call between the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. on the third day, rather than on the first day of his inauguration, "is not a matter of time difference or mistake. It reflects that the U.S. has concerns about the foreign policy direction of the Lee Jae-myung government."

He stressed, "The U.S., which does not see our country as a 'periphery', is actually analyzing each internal personnel closely."

He noted, "An approach that places the Korean Peninsula excessively at the center, akin to a geocentric model, is dangerous." He continued, "We must recognize that we are just one piece of the puzzle in the world." In relation to the issue of wartime operational control, he added, "Close military cooperation with the U.S. is the backbone of our security, and we must not treat it lightly."

Lastly, the former representative said, "It is an impossible illusion to think that we can have good relations with both the U.S. and China in today's era," and concluded, "The Lee Jae-myung government needs to make sincere efforts to rebuild trust in the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

Image source: Lee Jae-myung / News1