Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party, speaks during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Sept. 20. Yonhap

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Friday criticized a former chief of staff to preceding President Moon Jae-in over his remark seen as aligning with leader Kim Jong-un's latest characterization of the Koreas as two hostile countries.

During a ceremony on Thursday, Im Jong-seok suggested that the two Koreas put aside "unrealistic" talks on unification and live as separate nations, and proposed removing the territorial clause in South Korea's Constitution, in an abrupt departure from his longstanding calls for unification.

Considered a strong advocate of inter-Korean reconciliation, Im previously said he would focus on working for the reunification of the Koreas as he retired from politics in 2019.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho called it a "bizarre phenomenon" for Im to "advocate for reunification when it is needed" and to retract his assertion as soon as "North Korea claims it is not needed."

"Im's sudden shift in position can only be explained in line with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's recent rejection of reunification," Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon wrote on his Facebook page.

In late 2023, Kim described the two Koreas as "two hostile countries in a state of war" and said he will no longer consider South Korea a counterpart for unification.

PPP Rep. Kim Yong-tae also criticized Im for defying the identity of South Korea and aligning with the North, slamming his remarks as "anti-constitutional and hypocritical." (Yonhap)