South Korean ruling party leader urges independent security amid possible US-North Korea thaw

The leader of the ruling Democratic Party on Monday called for strengthening South Korea's independent security capabilities, citing the possibility of a shift toward a "freeze-first" approach to North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Rep. Kim Min-seok made the call in his policy address to the National Assembly session, stressing the need for Seoul to facilitate dialogue between the United States and North Korea while actively responding to possible changes in their relations.

"Considering the possibility that the United States and North Korea may achieve a dramatic improvement in relations and if by any chance, a 'freeze-first, resolve-later' approach could be adopted on the North Korean nuclear issue, South Korea must strengthen its independent security capabilities in advance," Kim said.

"The days when South Korea could depend solely on the United States are over," Kim added, noting that Washington is choosing to become "a tough negotiating partner rather than a generous big brother."

Kim also said Seoul should consider whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "two-state" policy could be used to promote peaceful coexistence rather than dismissing it entirely.

Last month, US President Donald Trump expressed his intention to meet Kim later this year and ordered the scaling back of a major South Korea-US exercise, citing his "very good" relationship with Kim.

He also argued that the allies' drills are costly and can send a "totally inappropriate and hostile" signal to the North.

The scaled-back exercise raised concerns that it could weaken the allies' deterrence against Pyongyang's growing nuclear and missile threats.

On domestic issues, Kim pledged to push for a constitutional revision that reflects public consensus, while vowing to prioritize people's livelihoods and promote balanced regional development.

"While respecting the procedural principles of the current Constitution and laws, we will pursue a feasible constitutional amendment that reflects the changing times and people's demands," he said.

Kim's remarks came after National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik told a press conference that an incumbent president's eligibility to seek another term under a revised Constitution is ultimately up to the people.

The remarks prompted opposition lawmakers to question whether he had left open the possibility of President Lee Jae Myung seeking a second term. (Yonhap)