Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's threat in his speech at the Pyongyang Armament Equipment Exhibition on the 4th that "the Korean Peninsula can never be a safe territory," the ruling and opposition parties expressed opposing views.

The Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reports on the 5th that the armed equipment exhibition 'Defense Development-2025' opens successfully in the capital Pyongyang on the 4th. /Courtesy of Pyongyang Rodong Sinmun News1

Park Ji-hye, Spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at a National Assembly briefing on the 5th, "The Lee Jae-myung popular sovereignty government is continuing the efforts to build a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula pursued by Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in, and is sustaining efforts for peace," adding, "We hope for a positive response to proposals for dialogue and cooperation for the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and the international community."

She added, "The Democratic Party will persevere and work continuously for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

While the Democratic Party urged cooperation from North Korea, the People Power Party called for a tough government response.

Son Beom-kyu, Spokesperson of the People Power Party, said in a commentary, "Kim Jong-un's intimidation is a strategy to strengthen his position and gain the upper hand in inter-Korean or U.S.-North Korea relations," adding, "We must strengthen alliances with friendly nations to preemptively dampen North Korea's willingness to provoke."

He added, "The government must respond clearly and firmly to North Korea's threats."

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