■ Appearance: Jang Seong-cheol, director of the public opinion center, Kim Sang-il, political critic
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[앵커]
Night focus analyzing today’s political interest news. Jang Seong-cheol, director of the public opinion center, and Kim Sang-il, a political critic, were invited. welcome. The Korea-Japan summit, the first step in restoring the blocked Korea-Japan relationship, the comfort women agreement, the Dokdo issue, etc. have been reached.
As a result, aftershocks are continuing now, but the Korean government has not discussed both issues. This is the official position, right?
[장성철]
Yes. Discussion of comfort women and Dokdo This report is not true. The diplomatic authorities expressed regret over the distorted report and protested in a polite form, and there was an explanation from the presidential office in this way. I also want to believe the explanation of the president’s office. Rather than Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary or NHK’s reports, the President’s office said that they did not discuss that matter and that it was not dealt with as an agenda, so we have to believe it. I think it is necessary to protest more actively against such reports and the announcement of the Chief Cabinet Secretary. If you just passively express regret, you didn’t do it, actually? I have no choice but to continue to have this kind of doubt, so I tell you that we need a strong response.
[앵커]
There is a part that the opposition party talked about what Director Jang Seong-cheol said. What kind of answer did you give so you can’t speak now? I raised the level of offense, but I will continue listening to this remark. Over the weekend, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin said in a media interview that it was not discussed as an agenda, but it was not an agenda, but then there was a talk about it. Now, the Democratic Party’s argument is pointing out that if there was really no discussion as the government said, shouldn’t we protest strongly? How do you see it?
[김상일]
Right now, President Yoon Seok-yeol is aiming to normalize relations, but if you protest this, normalization of relations may be disrupted. So it doesn’t seem easy, but can we continue to normalize relations in a situation where we can’t understand the people? I mean, this is also suspicious. So I guess I’ll have to use good judgment. First of all, I think we need to coordinate this part well through close cooperation with the US and Japan behind the scenes. Otherwise, from the point of view of the people, this seems to have no real benefit, but why do we have to work in such a humiliating way. Because it seems like it will only keep getting bigger and bigger. In the end, the key is, from my point of view, a state visit to the United States.
From there, I don’t think it will be that easy for the US and Japan to actually get something about Korea-Japan relations. Because it’s a relationship where emotions come first. However, I think that if we get some practical benefits such as an IRA in the US, this will be an opportunity to explain a little that we did this to get practical benefits in relations with the US, although Japan is also Japan, and move on. That’s right it’s wrong. I keep emphasizing, but this important task should be done while creating allies in a very detailed and sophisticated way. It cannot be solved by simply suppressing other people’s thoughts while insisting that I am right. I wish I could realize this once again.
[앵커]
Now, because of the North Korean nuclear issue, the United States is hoping that Korea and Japan will get along well. With the Korea-US summit coming up soon, isn’t the president’s decision foreseeing the relationship with the US in some way? What do you think of this view?
[장성철]
I think that’s the right point. It seems to be strongly desired in the United States. From the President’s 3.1 commemorative speech, the response of the United States was immediately a really good decision. It was really the biggest meeting in history, and there was even a reaction like this. Then, eventually, through trilateral military cooperation between Korea, the US and Japan, we will prepare for the existing nuclear threat from North Korea and block China’s hegemonism in Northeast Asia together. Then, the biggest stumbling block was the uncomfortable relationship between Korea and Japan. It must have been the United States’ idea that it would like to change it to a friendly relationship, a friendly relationship, and a cooperative relationship. That’s understandable enough, but I think I’ve said it a few times, and I hope the president will explain.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the first deputy chief of the National Security Office should not just come out and talk about the background or the principle. Because, you said that this was the president’s decision. Then why did you make the decision? I need to seek public understanding of it. I made a mistake and made my decision, and even if my approval rating drops to a single digit, I have to do what I have to do. I think it will get worse. Then I think this is worse. I really think it’s the right decision not to dwell on this kind of approval rating, but I would like to say that the process of understanding and persuading the people of Korea is absolutely necessary, as I did with Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun.
[앵커]
It is natural for diplomatic practice not to reveal the contents of the other country’s leader, a Foreign Ministry official said today. In the past, when Japan held summits like this, extensive media reports were made, and there was actually such an atmosphere. There is an aspect of rudeness, but should this be regarded as an influence because Japan is now facing local elections?
[김상일]
Even if there is such an influence, if diplomacy is used for the benefit of one’s own country, this will become a boomerang later. So I think I should tell the story of this diplomatic official to Japan, not to the Korean people or the media. It is not in accordance with diplomatic custom to mention the contents of the summit meeting, followed by the private meeting, and leaking it will make a very bad practice that can further damage diplomatic relations. I’m kind of sorry about that.
[앵커]
The battle between the ruling and opposition parties is also a very fierce situation. Representative Lee Jae-myeong criticized the Korea-Japan summit as a ruinous collusion. Representative Kim Ki-hyun counterattacked, saying that they were selling anti-Japanese sentiment. I will come and hear you speak.
You came to hear the ruinous collusion, the nonsense again, and the anti-Japanese armies’ various strong remarks. But now, there is the Dokdo and comfort women agreement issue between Korea and Japan, as well as the Fukushima seafood issue, the discharge of contaminated water, and the Sado Mine issue, and all over the place are minefields. If this is the case with Korea-Japan relations, and if the National Assembly continues to fight like this, there are times when the National Assembly really needs to do something.
[장성철]
I’m worried about that. But I think it’s up to those in power to release them. It’s a very sensitive issue, the diplomatic issue between Korea and Japan. Then, as we have said a few times, I think it would have been great if the President had met with the opposition party representative, the floor leader, or the standing chairman to explain various situations and seek cooperation within the National Assembly.
Now, as the anchor said, it has been a few days since the representatives of both parties met and shook hands saying, “Let’s work together,” and now they are spitting out these harsh words to each other. I’m telling you that this doesn’t seem right. There are points where I want to criticize the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party has also been in power. And during the 5 years of the Moon Jae-in administration, Korea-Japan relations almost collapsed.
Korea-Japan relations and diplomatic negotiations under the Moon Jae-in regime cannot be seen as correct. However, this time is an opportunity by using very stimulating and emotional language. Since the people’s feelings are not good, we should attack the Yoon Seok-yeol regime about this meeting. Subjugation, ruined country, yahap, tribute, betrayal, Lee Wan-yong, and the humiliation of Samjeondo. I think it’s a little too much to attack President Seok-Yeol Yoon in diplomatic issues related to national interests by mobilizing such emotional language.
Since we have experience in taking power, we have done this in the past in Korea-Japan relations, and we must pay attention to these points. You might think it’s different, but it’s not like the opposition party that has been in power to attack with such emotional language.
[앵커]
However, the Democratic Party is showing signs of raising the level of criticism by holding outdoor rallies in the future, and it may be pointed out that CEO Lee Jae-myung failed to fulfill his constitutional responsibility to protect the territory and people’s life at the Supreme Council today. Isn’t that a vague statement? I had this kind of look. Regarding this, the Democratic Party is an expanded interpretation, so it drew a line. Will this not come out in the future?
[김상일]
This will be a little different depending on the development of the situation. It’s not ripe yet, so I’m going to finish it on the line where I draw the line like this. If this is getting worse and worse, President Lee Jae-myung is now giving President Yoon Seok-yeol a very good opportunity to change the situation and overcome the crisis. So, I don’t want to use this as a very good opportunity from the position of party representative Lee Jae-myung.
That’s why such harsh remarks come out. However, I think that Lee Jae-myeong, the party leader, can also be overpaid. Because, in the case of people in the middle class, the other person now defines the other person as the enemy and demonizes them, so they pour out their emotions and hate and hate through it, and they don’t like this very much. That’s why I think it’s a very good opportunity for CEO Lee Jae-myeong, but the language needs to be moderated a little.
Then I thought that I could expand this further. President Yoon Seok-yeol said, “It is difficult for me to think about this part well, so I need a really sophisticated and meticulous strategy. Second, you need a very strong support group. But think about it. First of all, it does not secure a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Then, I wonder if this is something that can be tried at least in a situation where a majority of seats are secured.
Third, an environment that is very favorable to public opinion must be created. However, looking at it now, he pushes forward with only the thought that he is right without making any effort to create a friendly environment. From my point of view, I can’t help it because I reviewed my strategy and tactics even now, but I can’t help it, but the effort for the people, the effort to explain, and the effort to get a little more practical benefit from this, in the United States or Japan. Through this, I think that we should refine the way to overcome this.
[앵커]
In order to make a decision, an elaborate approach is required. I am emphasizing this part. However, former Congressman Yoo Seung-min left this story today. He made this point that the victim had to win the perpetrator’s heart, but it seems that he has been talking for a long time.
[장성철]
I also think what Congressman Yoo Seung-min said is valid. As for us now in Japan, the perpetrators don’t reflect that much and don’t think they did anything wrong, but we’ll forgive them, let’s get along well. I wonder if it wasn’t like this. From what I can see, the source is not clear whether the data was distributed by the President’s Office or the People’s Power, but the date of apology in Japan, the name of the Prime Minister who apologized, and even the contents were solved like this on 3 A4 sheets. .
There, Japan apologized more than 50 times, but the minister or the people’s power officials are talking about what is so important to receive one or two more apologies. Okay, I like that you apologized. Accept it. However, I apologized 50 times, but I did 500 more things like absurd remarks and absurd remarks. It has been said dozens of times that Dokdo is Japanese territory. The comfort women victims, the victims of forced labor, and the victims How many times did you make absurd remarks about them? And I have done dozens or hundreds of times of visiting the Yasukuni Shrine or making offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine, which hurts our people.
Since the cabinet members, the prime minister, and other people in the cabinet keep saying that they didn’t do anything wrong, we have no choice but to ask for an apology because there is no sincerity in the apology. It’s not that the people of Korea who want an apology are forced to do it. So, in order for these things to become cooperative partnerships in the future, ministers should not do things like this in the future. A few days later, another minister suddenly appears and shouts again that Dokdo is Japanese territory. how will it be
[앵커]
It’s not just one or two things to watch. Today, there was a report that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida would invite President Yoon Seok-yeol to the G7 summit in Hiroshima. In the presidential office, this is a positive measure following the Korea-Japan summit, and this evaluation came out. Anyway, after the Japanese election is over, we have to wait a little for the measures that Japan responds to from a long-term perspective.
[김상일]
There may be such a part, but I told you when I first started, but I don’t think Japan can give us that much. Because your country’s politics doesn’t end there just because the local elections are over. I can make some friendly remarks, but it’s a bit difficult to give a great practical benefit, because I judge like this. Then, in the end, if you have to get all of them, from my point of view, you have to get them from the United States.
But will this be done in the US as well? And what else is the real interest of the United States? In the meantime, there has been something like putting Japan a little higher than us and prioritizing it. However, if you show that you prioritize Korea rather than Japan, then the atmosphere might change a little. But again, it’s not easy either. Therefore, I am not sure whether it will be a boomerang to claim that Japan is over the general election now, or whether it will be a number that makes it better little by little.
[장성철]
One thing I really want to say is that there was a party and government meeting yesterday. It’s like this because of lack of publicity. Because we can’t properly tell our sincerity. We need to strengthen publicity, because we talk like this. Okay, it’s good to increase publicity. Even if it’s good, as I said before, I think it’s time for the president to honestly explain why he had to make such a crucial decision and why this direction is right.
Because the president said during his candidacy that I would not hide behind the staff. This is a really historical fact and an important issue related to national interest. If the president doesn’t explain this properly, what will you explain? That’s why I say that this is a point that needs an explanation.
[앵커]
If the president has a lot of questions about something from the people even with just one point on issues related to diplomacy with Japan, do you think he needs to clarify his position directly?
[장성철]
sure. A media interview is also good. Or you can hold a press conference. There are many ways. Or maybe there will be an announcement of a public statement. I guess that’s kind of necessary.
[앵커]
Let’s keep a long-term view of the government’s persuasion work to the people and the outcome of the Korea-US summit.
YTN Seongcheol Jang ([email protected])
YTN Kim Sang-il
