[USFK Forum] Newly appoinee defends

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Friday, February 17, 2006

Minister berates critics of U.S. troop flexibility

February 17, 2006 ㅡ Newly appointed Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok defended yesterday a recent deal between Seoul and Washington regarding the strategic flexibility of U.S. troops stationed here and expressed his discomfort toward both the left and right political camps.

Speaking at a seminar given to top South Korean diplomats who have gathered in Seoul, Mr. Lee took aim at far left politicians saying sarcastically that it would be better for them to openly argue for a withdrawal of U.S. troops here.

The minister also pointed out that the deal was criticized by the conservative right who he described as a group accustomed to leaning on the United States.

“Arguments from both sides are too exaggerated and it’s time for people who see a balance to speak out,” said the minister. Last month Seoul agreed with Washington that in principle American troops here can be used in other areas of Northeast Asia if necessary.

Mr. Lee also took the occasion to defend Seoul’s kid-glove handling of North Korean human rights. “Considering inter-Korean relations, we are just not openly discussing North Korean human rights,” said the minister.
“If a new administration comes in another method could be chosen but we will deal with it this way.”

While the international community has condemned the deteriorating human rights situation in the North, Seoul has been silent on the issue for fear of agitating Pyongyang and bringing a collapse in stalled nuclear talks with the North.

The minister argued that inter-Korean relations had improved over the past years to such a level that the nuclear issue can be discussed, but said more work needed to be done to improve trust between the two Koreas.

In regard to recent promotions of personnel in the administration thought to be close to the minister, Mr. Lee was dismissive, saying he had played no hand in them.

On Wednesday, the Blue House carried out a reshuffle at the vice ministerial level. In that, Suh Choo-suk, the chief planning officer of the National Security Council, was moved to the post of senior presidential secretary for security policy. Mr. Seo worked under the unification minister when he was deputy head of the security council. Mr. Lee is now head of the council.


by Brian Lee



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