▲ Lawmakers of the Democratic Party hold a rally at the National Assembly in Seoul on Oct. 25, 2024, denouncing the Yoon Suk Yeol administration for attempting to "incite a war." (Yonhap)

politics-N Korea-Russia

DP slams PPP lawmaker for leaked text message on attacking N.K. soldiers deployed to Russia

SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Friday condemned a ruling party lawmaker for sending a text message to a top security official advising cooperating with Ukraine to strike North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia.

On Thursday, Rep. Han Ki-ho of the ruling People Power Party (PPP)'s Telegram message to National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik was caught on press camera during a parliamentary audit, suggesting an attack and missile strikes on North Korean units in Russia, possibly with Ukraine's cooperation, and using it as "psychological warfare" against the North.

Revealed images of the message show Shin responding positively to Han's suggestion.

During a Supreme Council meeting earlier in the day, DP leader Lee Jae-myung called on the government and the PPP to apologize for fueling concerns among the public over an "already unstable security situation."

At the meeting, DP Rep. Kim Min-seok criticized them for trying to "bring the flames of Ukraine to Seoul" that could endanger citizens and took issue with Shin's positive response to Han's message.

Meanwhile, the PPP denounced the DP for failing to condemn North Korea for using its soldiers as "human shields."

During a PPP meeting on the ongoing audit, PPP Rep. Kang Dae-sik slammed the DP's "submissive attitude" toward North Korea, a country he said sends off its own soldiers as "cannon fodder mercenaries" to fight in Ukraine.

On Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol said South Korea could consider providing arms to Ukraine, vowing not to "sit idle" in response to Pyongyang's troop dispatch to Russia.

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