Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has become a liability for President Lee Jae Myung. Chung’s insensitive rhetoric has put further strain on the already troubled Seoul-Washington relations. His refusal to characterize the recent landmine explosion near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) as a North Korean provocation is indefensible. His latest gaffe has driven a wedge between Seoul and Washington and raised a fundamental question about his motives: Whose interests is he representing? Criticism of Chung has erupted even within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). On Monday, Rep. Park Jie-won, who served as director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) under the Moon Jae-in administration, urged President Lee to undertake bold reforms by replacing key foreign policy and security officials. Describing U.S. relations as a cornerstone of Seoul’s foreign policy, Park argued that the deterioration of bilateral ties exposed a serious problem that could have far-reaching consequences, if left unaddressed. “Reform should begin with a reshuffle. The success of the Lee administrati