Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung accused President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday of using national security as a pretext for his decision to put off a planned trip to Germany and Denmark, saying it could send the wrong signal to foreign investors.

On Wednesday, the presidential office postponed Yoon’s visit to the two European nations planned for next week, after considering various factors. It marked the first time Yoon has canceled a scheduled visit to another country since taking office.

Yoon’s office did not elaborate on what factors led to the decision, but sources close to the government have said it reflects Yoon’s need to focus on domestic issues, livelihood matters and concerns about national security amid North Korea’s continued provocations.

“Among the many excuses one can make, how can one use national security as a reason to suddenly cancel summit diplomacy?” Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), said in a party leadership meeting. “Are concerns of North Korea’s provocations th
at dire?”

Such an excuse makes foreign investors wonder whether a North Korean invasion is impending, Lee said.

“This is something that we can never say if we think even a bit about how much this will affect the economy.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency