Opposition chief draws backlash for calling unification ministry 'useless'
Posted : 2021-07-11 16:40
Updated : 2021-07-11 16:41
People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok, right, speaks during a preparatory meeting for the party's primary to select its presidential candidate at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
By Nam Hyun-woo
Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), stirred up controversy by calling for the dismantlement of South Korea's Ministry of Unification, which is in charge of dealing with North Korea.
Lee claimed recently that ministries that have been failing to show results should be abolished, singling out the unification ministry as well as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. However, his comments have drawn strong backlash from not only the ruling bloc, but also Lee's own party, raising questions over his views on the reunification of the two Koreas.