Ambassador Kang Kyung-hwa criticizes communication limits with White House

During a National Assembly audit held at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Kang Kyung-hwa expressed frustration regarding communication constraints with the White House. She noted that high-level consultations are not occurring as extensively as she desires.

Ambassador Kang also addressed the recent landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Contradicting President Lee Jae-myung’s previous description of the event as an “unfortunate accident,” Kang stated that based on Joint Chiefs of Staff findings, the explosion was “definitely not an unfortunate accident.” She emphasized that North Korea clearly planted the mines and that such actions imply specific intent.

These remarks have intensified political friction within South Korea. Opposition lawmakers have criticized the administration’s North Korea policy and called for the dismissal of Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young and National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-seok, citing a breakdown in the ROK-US alliance.