Lee Jae-myung's Words Resonate with Roh's North Korea Stance

President Lee Jae-myung's Remarks and the Echoes of Roh Moo-hyun’s 2004 Speech

In 2004, a statement by former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun sparked significant controversy. During a speech in Los Angeles, he suggested that North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons and missiles could be justified as a means of self-defense against external threats. This remark drew sharp criticism from both domestic and international audiences. Recently, President Lee Jae-myung made similar comments during an investment summit in New York, reigniting comparisons to Roh’s past remarks.

At the “Korea Economic Briefing (IR) Investment Summit” held at the New York Stock Exchange on the 25th, President Lee described North Korea’s nuclear development as being driven by the need for regime survival. He also implied that South Korea might be provoking North Korea, stating that concerns about military tensions on the Korean Peninsula are politically motivated. These statements have drawn considerable backlash, with critics suggesting that they justify North Korea’s nuclear program as a matter of national security and imply that South Korea is the aggressor.

Some analysts believe that President Lee’s comments may have been influenced by Roh Moo-hyun’s 2004 speech, which was widely criticized for its perceived leniency toward North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. The parallels between the two leaders’ statements have led to renewed scrutiny of how South Korea approaches its relationship with the North.

The Context of Roh Moo-hyun’s 2004 LA Speech

President Roh Moo-hyun made his controversial remarks during a visit to Los Angeles in November 2004, while en route to the APEC Summit in Chile. His speech was delivered at the World Affairs Council (WAC) during a luncheon meeting with experts and overseas Koreans. In his address, he defended North Korea’s stance, arguing that the country’s hardline approach was aimed at securing its own regime stability. He also criticized the Bush administration’s policies toward North Korea, advocating for peaceful dialogue and the resumption of six-party talks.

Roh’s assertion that North Korea’s nuclear development had “some validity” caused widespread outrage. He further stated that it could not be definitively proven that North Korea’s nuclear program was intended for attacking others or supporting terrorism. These remarks were covered extensively by major South Korean newspapers, including Chosun Ilbo, which highlighted the controversy on its front page.

Was the LA Speech Impromptu?

Despite initial reports suggesting that the speech was spontaneous, it was actually carefully prepared. Delivered shortly after President Bush’s re-election, the speech was part of a broader strategy to counter the U.S. administration’s hardline stance on North Korea. Roh had consistently emphasized the importance of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through diplomacy, and his remarks reflected this long-standing position.

Ko Young-koo, then Director of the National Intelligence Service, testified that he had heard similar statements from the president before, indicating that the speech was not entirely new. This perspective was influenced by Lee Jong-seok, who was then Vice Director of the National Security Council and later became Director of the National Intelligence Service. He advocated for a more understanding approach toward North Korea’s security concerns.

The Role of Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon

The rivalry between pro-alliance and pro-independence factions within the Roh administration was intense. Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, who later became UN Secretary-General, closely monitored the influence of pro-independence advisors. Before Roh’s trip to Los Angeles, Ban obtained a draft of the speech that included phrases such as “North Korea has reasonable grounds to view nuclear weapons as self-defense.” Deeming the content provocative, Ban and Deputy Minister Choi Young-jin raised concerns at a National Security Council meeting but failed to persuade Roh.

Ban even threatened to resign if the speech was delivered, but Roh refused to back down. Despite Ban’s efforts to dissuade him, the speech was ultimately given, leading to significant backlash.

The Purpose Behind the Speech

A key government official, now serving in the current administration, later explained that the speech was a deliberate strategy to clarify South Korea’s position on the North Korean nuclear issue. The official emphasized that the remarks were not impromptu but part of a broader effort to promote dialogue and flexibility in achieving peaceful denuclearization.

The message to the U.S. was framed as a statement of South Korea’s position rather than a demand. The official also noted that there was no prior coordination with North Korea, and that the remarks were intended to engage the North in future discussions.

Impact on the South-North Joint Declaration

Roh’s remarks risked undermining the South-North Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which prohibited both Koreas from possessing nuclear reprocessing or uranium enrichment facilities. By seemingly legitimizing North Korea’s nuclear program, the declaration’s relevance came into question. North Korea could use Roh’s comments to counter South Korea’s demands for denuclearization, weakening South Korea’s diplomatic leverage.

North Korea’s Response

North Korea responded positively to Roh’s remarks, with Jean Ping, President of the UN General Assembly, noting that Pyongyang had “positively assessed” the comments. North Korean officials reiterated that their nuclear weapons were for defense, marking the first time a South Korean leader’s remarks had received international acknowledgment from North Korea.

As for President Lee’s recent comments, North Korea has yet to officially respond. Kim Song, a North Korean Foreign Ministry official, arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly and is scheduled to speak on the 29th. Analysts are watching closely to see how Pyongyang will react to the latest remarks that echo North Korea’s own stance.