PM Lee regrets on North's Criticism

Prime Minister Lee Han Dong contended July 12 that the North¡¯s severe criticism of Grand National Party chairman Lee Hoi-Chang was an unwarranted action, expressing a great regret on the happening.

Prime Minister Lee made this statement at a national assembly Q&A session towards the government in relation to unification, foreign affairs and national security. He added that such happenings will adversely affect the advancement of the North-South relationship. In order to prevent the recurrence of such happenings the PM asserted that at the next North-South talks the government will ask strongly Pyongyang to restrain from making improper comments.

In consideration of the reconciliatory mood following the June 15 declaration in which mutual reprobation was to be ceased, the North`s comments are disappointing. The PM explained that the happening transpired due to lack of understanding of Korea`s socio-political and public opinion system.

A high level government official stated that in case economic cooperation is expanded and the North-South relations improve rapidly, a leader who is supportive of unification and reconciliation will have to be elected for the next presidency in the future. To add, he noted chairman Lee should put a deeper thought into the North-South relation.