Members of the Park Geun-hye administration have ostensibly emphasized a “unified message” in addressing pending issues, particularly on security over North Korea’s incessant threats.
But the latest misstep exposed loopholes in internal communication, triggering concerns over intelligence capacity and control among Cheong Wa Dae, the Unification Ministry and the Defense Ministry.
The three on Monday were busy correcting each other over reports about the possibility of North Korea conducting another nuclear test as the new young leader Kim Jong-un has resorted to more aggressive brinkmanship these past few weeks.
Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae was asked during a parliamentary committee session about reports that there was vehicle activity detected around the southern part of the Punggye-ri test site, and whether it was a sign that the North was preparing for a fourth nuclear test. In response, Ryoo said, “What I can comment on is that there are some signs.” Immediately, news reports poured out quoting the minister as indicating there were signs of another nuclear test.
Later in the afternoon, the Defense Ministry scurried to correct it, stating through its spokesman Kim Min-seok that while there were movements of personnel and vehicles, they did not view it as a sign of a nuclear test as of now. Cheong Wa Dae officials added to the rebuttal that there were no specific signs.
The Unification Ministry, through its spokesperson, elaborated that Rhyoo’s comments were referring to how the North was consistently preparing for a nuclear test and that it was possible at any time upon its decision.
The minister’s slip-of-tongue, or simply misleading wording, not only generated nervous confusion at a time of acute tension over Pyongyang’s threats of war, but also raised anxiety over whether the security team, spearheaded by the presidential office of national security, was synchronized, or even going in the right direction as intensity continued to mount.
“Even a slightly wrong signal could lead the Korean Peninsula into an irrecoverable situation. This is not the time to confuse people over whether there are or there are not any signs of a fourth nuclear test,” said main opposition Democratic United Party floor leader Park Ki-choon. “Even a small signal for dialogue could be the key to larger peace,” he added, urging a lucid approach to resolve tension.
Despite such growing doubts, Cheong Wa Dae appeared resolute in upholding its one-voice policy, that was seen tied to the “principle-based” approach to the South’s neighbor as envisioned in President Park Geun-hye’s “trust-building” process ― reacting in kind against provocations and reciprocating to any gesture of reconciliation with equal sincerity.
“I seriously doubt the intelligence of those that question our intelligence capacity,” said presidential spokesman Yoon Chang-jung on Tuesday to a question about some criticism directed at the administration.
He said the national security office chief Kim Jang-soo in Cheong Wa Dae continued to hold daily security meetings with presidential secretaries to discuss the North and that it would deal with the situation in close conjunction with the relevant ministries.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
