▲ Han Byung-do, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a party leadership meeting in the east coast city of Gangneung on Aug. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Friday lashed out at the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) for denouncing President Lee Jae Myung's remarks portraying the reduction of South Korea-U.S. military exercises as a big decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"President Lee expressed his respect for Trump's determination to build a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and said he fully agrees that South Korea must take responsibility for its own security," DP floor leader Han Byung-do said at a party leadership meeting.

"This is a responsible peace strategy aimed at lowering the risk of war and opening the door to dialogue, based on the solid Korea-U.S. alliance and strong self-reliant defense capabilities," Han said at the meeting in the east coast city of Gangneung.

Earlier in the day, PPP floor Jeong Jeom-sig criticized Lee for saying he respects Trump's decision to scale back the joint South Korea-U.S. military drills. "What country's commander-in-chief can be so gleeful after having its military training schedule with an ally bypassed?" Jeong asked.

On Thursday, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok also criticized Lee, calling his remarks "an unprecedented moral victory." "President Lee has abandoned security, diplomacy and the economy. The Lee administration has abandoned the people, and soon the people will abandon the Lee administration," Jang said.

DP floor leader Han urged the PPP to stop exploiting security anxieties and holding the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the safety of the people hostage.

"One cannot help but question whom PPP politicians are truly serving by attacking only the president of the Republic of Korea, who is seeking to strengthen the alliance, while remaining silent on the U.S. president's decision," Han said.

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