Pres. Park Says North Korea Shows 'Serious Cracks' in its Regime
On August 22, South Korean President Park Geun Hye said that North Korea has started to present signs of "serious cracks" within its regime including a series of defections by influential people from the North.
The Korea Times reported that the president warned that Pyongyang could initiate terrorist attacks or perform military provocations against Seoul as rumors of political turmoil currently surround the North Korean regime of Kim Jong Un, and many people believe that he will try to keep his grip on power.
During a National Security Council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), President Park said, "There are growing possibilities over all sorts of terrorist attacks and provocations targeting us, including cyber terrorism, as North Korea tries to battle internal upheaval, to prevent any further defections, and to stir up chaos in our society."
The president assembled the meeting as the United States and South Korea started the annual joint military exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG). UFG will run until September 2.
The said meeting is also held after North Korea's ambassador to the United Kingdom Thae Yong Ho defected to South Korea with his family late last month. Thae is one of the high-profile personalities who abandoned the dictatorial regime in recent years. The North Korean ruler reportedly ordered attacks against South Koreans living abroad.
Park added, "We can't lower our guard even for a moment considering key North Korean officials have been fleeing their country and that their regime is going to extreme measures. We must be fully aware of the nature of the emergency, and I ask all Cabinet members to take stern measures against any action that can create rifts and conflict within our society."
Pyongyang claimed that the U.S.-South Korea military drill is a preparation for the invasion of the North. It also confirmed last week that it started reopening nuclear fuel reprocessing for plutonium production, raising speculations and concerns over a fifth nuclear test.
The president said, "There is a higher possibility of more North Korean provocations than ever and its nuclear weapons and missiles can pose a direct and tangible threat to our people's lives and national security. In that regard, our government and military should work with the United States closely to punish Pyongyang. Also, we should conduct our military drill as if we are in an actual war."
Park also criticized the North for attempting to take advantage of the THAAD deployment "as an excuse for further provocations."
"Our decision to deploy THAAD was to protect us as North Korea has not been giving up its nuclear ambitions and continues with provocations. But Pyongyang has been distorting the truth and we should not be swayed by its intention to deepen internal conflict and chaos over THAAD," she said.
