Na Kyung-won calls for immediate start of Kim Jong-un decapitation drills

People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won raised allegations Wednesday that the government had downplayed and concealed details of a demilitarized zone explosion, calling on President Lee Jae Myung to apologize and take a harder line against North Korea.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Na urged Lee to formally retract remarks he made in his UN speech. "President Lee Jae Myung must officially withdraw what he said at the UN," she said, adding that he should "kneel and beg forgiveness before the combat-wounded soldiers who were injured in the mine explosion."

She also called for the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet drops directed at North Korea. "Decapitation drills targeting Kim Jong-un must begin immediately," she said.

Na further demanded that South Korea deploy every available tool to punish the North, including the highest-level international financial sanctions to cut off Kim Jong-un's governing funds, the tracing and seizure of assets hidden abroad, and direct claims for damages against North Korean authorities.

Returning to Lee, she urged him to formally retract his UN remarks and "kneel before the combat-wounded soldiers who will carry the scars of the mine explosion for the rest of their lives, and before the people."

Na had introduced a resolution Tuesday calling for an investigation into allegations that the Lee Jae Myung administration downplayed and concealed the DMZ mine blast, which is believed to have been caused by North Korea, and urging proper recognition and support for the injured soldiers.

The resolution centers on the formation of an independent fact-finding panel that would include experts in explosives, mines and military investigations recommended by the opposition party.

It specifies that if the injuries are confirmed to have resulted from hostile acts — such as mines planted by North Korean troops — the affected soldiers should be classified as combat-wounded and receive appropriate recognition and compensation. The resolution also stipulates that soldiers who wish to continue their service should be allowed to do so, and that veterans' benefits, rehabilitation and employment support must be provided without interruption upon discharge.

More than 50 People Power Party lawmakers signed on to the resolution, including party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and lawmakers Kwon Young-se, Jo Bae-sook, Lee Jong-bae, Ahn Cheol-soo and Park Dae-chul, along with independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon and Reform Party former leader Lee Jun-seok.