Assemblyman Park Ji-won Emphasizes China Should Value Other Nations' Lives Like Its Own Citizens

North Korea's Quarantine Medical System Is Vulnerable but Strong Physical Measures Possible
"Except for Hwang Kyo-ahn's Withdrawal, Must Run in Jongno"

Assemblyman Park Ji-won

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] Park Ji-won, former leader of the Alternative New Party, expressed concerns that the government’s measures against the novel coronavirus could worsen relations with China. On the 4th, he stated, “The new Chinese ambassador to Korea conveyed such complaints and worries today, but China should not underestimate the situation and should acknowledge it as it is and cooperate.” He added, “Since China also values the lives of foreign nationals as much as its own citizens, it must cooperate with our government’s decisions.”

On the morning of the 4th, Park appeared on YTN-R’s “Noh Young-hee’s Start of a New Morning” and emphasized, “The government should consider relations with China, but the lives of our citizens are most important, so it is desirable to take strong measures.” He stressed, “Currently, the people are living in fear, so it is the government’s responsibility to alleviate that fear.”

Regarding the government’s measures against the novel coronavirus, he said, “There were some initial shortcomings and some confusion, especially concerning travel to China, such as travel restrictions and recommendations for full withdrawal.” However, he evaluated, “The government is working hard.”

In response to the question, “Why are there no confirmed cases in North Korea?” he said, “Based on past experience, North Korea’s quarantine and medical system is weak, but it has taken extremely strong physical measures against infectious diseases and viruses, such as border closures and restrictions on residents’ movement.” He added, “Since North Korea currently reports no confirmed cases, we must believe that for now.”

He continued, “In the past, when Kim Yong-nam, the Standing Committee Chairman, disappeared for a while after an overseas trip, our media reported rumors of disappearance, but I expected that North Korea would have isolated him because it takes strong physical measures against infectious diseases and viruses.” He introduced, “Later, it was revealed that Kim Yong-nam was quarantined for 14 days immediately after returning.”

Regarding whether Hwang Kyo-ahn would run for the Jongno district, he said, “There are talks that he will not run in the general election, but unless that happens, he will eventually run in Jongno, pushed by criticism inside and outside the party.” He warned, “If he does not run in a difficult district himself but urges other senior members to run in difficult districts, it will be a ‘broken family nomination.’”

When asked about the Korean Party creating the satellite party Future Korea Party and appointing Representative Han Sun-kyo as its leader, he criticized, “Ultimately, after introducing the semi-proportional representation system, it is like cooking rice only to give it away; the Future Korea Party should not exist.” He pointed out, “The Korean Party, which is short of one seat, can use such a loophole, and I have pointed this out, saying the Democratic Party, which has prepared no countermeasures, is too naive.”

Former leader Park Ji-won predicted, “To receive a good number similar to the Liberty Korea Party’s number 2, the Future Korea Party will have candidates from Liberty Korea Party members who are not running, and after the election, it will naturally merge with the Liberty Korea Party.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.