On the 19th, former President Moon Jae-in’s memoir in the field of diplomacy and security, titled “From the Periphery to the Center,” is displayed at Kyobo Bookstore in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The book has been criticized as portraying North Korea in a positive light and even referred to as “Kim Jong-un’s chief spokesperson.” In the memoir, Moon introduces statements about Kim Jong-un such as “Isn’t it like telling the catcher to put down the gun that is protecting his life with a single bullet?”, implying a sympathetic view towards North Korea’s lack of progress in denuclearization negotiations.
In response to Moon’s evaluation of First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s visit to India in 2018 as “the first solo diplomatic mission by a First Lady,” criticism was raised, calling it inappropriate. The Democratic Party of Korea labeled the criticism from the opposition party as “clumsy and baseless.”
Members of the opposition party, including Ahn Cheol-soo, expressed the opinion that Moon should reflect on his role as a mediator between North Korea and the United States, stating that his misplaced trust in North Korea over the U.S. led to heightened tensions and North Korea’s advancement in nuclear capabilities.
Regarding Moon’s statements in the memoir, members of the ruling party also voiced their criticism. They pointed out Moon’s seemingly high trust in Kim Jong-un’s sincerity for denuclearization, despite ongoing concerns about North Korea’s true intentions. There were also objections to how Moon portrayed Kim Jong-un as a compassionate leader rather than holding him accountable for the Yeonpyeong Island incident.
In response to the controversy surrounding First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s solo visit to India, members of the opposition party pushed for an investigation into her actions. They argued that the Foreign Ministry had actually initiated the invitation for Kim Jung-sook to visit India, making it a preemptive move rather than a solo decision by the First Lady.
Members from both parties engaged in a heated debate, with allegations and criticisms exchanged regarding Moon’s memoir and his administration’s actions. The opposition party emphasized accountability for alleged wasteful spending during the India visit, urging Moon to apologize to the public. Members from the ruling party defended Moon’s memoir as a reflection on both achievements and failures of his administration, emphasizing the importance of deeper introspection for future governments.