07 September 2017

News Story: Opposition whip calls on Moon to retool foreign, security policy

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Yonhap) -- The floor leader of the minor opposition People's Party called on President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday to reshape his security and foreign policies, pointing to North Korea's escalating threats and perceived friction with the United States and China.

During his parliamentary speech, Kim Dong-cheol also demanded the "complete" replacement of Moon's security staff, which critics argue lacks expertise in military strategies and tactics.

Pyongyang's sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date Sunday has deepened skepticism over Moon's policy of rapprochement, which aims to denuclearize the communist neighbor through dialogue and sanctions.

"Now is not the time to mention dialogue (with the North). ... It is a phase that calls for stern pressure and sanctions," Kim said. "President Moon Jae-in has to acknowledge his policy failures and start anew."

Kim then proposed holding an emergency security meeting of the president and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties.

"There is no such thing as 'again' or 'if' when it comes to security," he said.

Read the full story at YonhapNews