On October 10, the Democratic Party and People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won engaged in a heated exchange regarding the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine, following Na's letter of thanks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo criticized Na in a written briefing, stating, "While defending Ukraine for breaking a promise of confidentiality, she absurdly accuses our government of wanting to abandon North Korean prisoners of war to their fate." He urged her to stop the irresponsible provocation that labels demands for the protection of the individuals and their families as 'pro-North Korea.'
Lee added, "Is it human rights to worry about the prisoners' 'lifeline' while ignoring the promise to ensure their safety? Stop the deception that prioritizes human rights while sidelining the safety of the prisoners."
Fellow party member Kim Byeong-joo took to Facebook to express his outrage, saying, "A letter of thanks to Zelensky, who has insulted our country, is ungrateful. How is this different from Lee Wan-yong, who sold out the nation for personal gain? Cease these acts of treason immediately."
In response, Na posted on Facebook, questioning, "After sending a letter of thanks to the Ukrainian president for the repatriation of North Korean prisoners, Democratic lawmakers rush in like a self-destructive unit. Are they lawmakers of the Republic of Korea or members of the North Korean Workers' Party? Why do they take on the role of a mouthpiece for the North Korean regime?"
Na also criticized the government's repatriation measures, calling the return of Ambassador Park Ki-chang from Ukraine a "diplomatic self-harm." She argued, "This absurd diplomatic conflict can only be explained as a show for North Korea's Kim Jong-un."
She further remarked, "This is a cowardly message to Pyongyang, assuring them that 'we will never welcome North Korean soldiers defecting to South Korea.' Now, which country will assist North Korean prisoners in defecting?"
Na concluded, "Ultimately, the Lee Jae-myung administration has successfully blocked any future repatriation of North Korean prisoners. This administration, which ignores the lives of our compatriots to appease North Korea, is truly a 'pro-North Korea regime.'"
* This article has been translated by AI.
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