People Power Party (PPP) Chair Jang Dong-hyuk urged President Lee Jae-myung to "stop the submissive North Korea policy and reckless troop reductions" following recent missile provocations by Pyongyang. He also called for swift action, including activating a hotline with U.S. President Donald Trump, after Trump remarked that "Korea did not help the U.S. in the Middle East war."
"President Lee received praise from North Korea over the drone incident, but they fired three missiles in two days, confirming once again that submission invites provocation," Jang said at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Friday.
Jang sharply criticized the government for reducing frontline troops while North Korea continues its provocations. "In this situation, the Defense Minister says he will drastically cut GOP forces guarding the frontlines by three-quarters, leaving just 6,000 soldiers to defend positions currently manned by 22,000," he said. "While North Korea fires missiles daily and escalates military threats, we are opening the door and inviting them to attack."
"Administrations are temporary, but the Republic of Korea must endure forever," Jang continued. "No matter what President Lee wants to do, national security must not be compromised. Stop the submissive North Korea policy and reckless troop reductions immediately."
Regarding constitutional revision discussions at the ruling-opposition-government economic consultative meeting on January 7, Jang said, "When I asked the president to first declare there would be no term extension before discussing constitutional revision, he dodged the question and talked about other things." He added, "The Blue House offered excuses yesterday, but the key point about not seeking reelection was missing."
"Seeing that the president refuses to declare he will serve only one term, I cannot dismiss the reasonable suspicion that this constitutional revision is a stepping stone for reelection," Jang emphasized. "The public will not tolerate a presidential reelection scenario, and I hope he abandons this vain ambition."