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Opposition leader questions THAAD issue to ex-U.S. official

Opposition leader questions THAAD issue to ex-U.S. official

Posted October. 12, 2016 08:54,   

Updated October. 12, 2016 08:59

한국어
At the World Knowledge Forum held in northern Seoul on Tuesday, main opposition Minjoo Party leader Choo Mi-ae asked Wendy Sherman, former U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, "Is THAAD targeting China or North Korea?" It is unprecedented for a politician who is invited to an event to raise policy questions. Normally, invited guests share greetings or take photos and then leave. Nevertheless, Choo, while being seated at an audience floor, asked to speak at the Q&A session, and asked about the U.S.' intention by saying that some experts are suspicious of THAAD's ability and that rallies are taking place in Korea to oppose the THAAD allocation.

Critics say that it was inappropriate for the leader of the main opposition party to make such remarks at such an event. Sherman is an influential figure in Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, but is only a former undersecretary of state for political affairs. This means it is more appropriate to ask an incumbent figure in the Barack Obama administration or U.S. ambassador to Korea.

Sherman said the THAAD issue was decided by agreement between Korea and the U.S., and that it is meant to protect South Korea from North Korea's provocations and thus not related to China.

"I'm working very hard to succeed in the presidential election (next year), and if we fail we (Minjoo Party) will all have to drown in the river," Choo also said on Monday, which raised criticism. In response, former party leader Moon Jae-in said, "Perhaps it will be me who will first have to get drowned." Park Jie-won, head of emergency plan committee at the minor opposition People's Party wrote in Twitter, "Politicians should always watch their mouth. Such a comment is, though meant to be a pledge, can't be kept and is also improper in terms of education."



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