Sim Jae-cheol "If We Become the First Party in the General Election, Impeachment of Moon Possible... Government Failed Initial COVID-19 Response"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Sim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the United Future Party, stated that if his party becomes the first party in the April 15 general election, they will be able to push for the impeachment of President Moon Jae-in. He also criticized the government's response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), saying it failed from the initial response stage.

On the 20th, Sim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and mentioned the controversy over interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, saying, "Currently, since we are a minority party, even if we propose impeachment, it cannot be pushed forward. However, if we become the first party or increase our numbers through this parliamentary election, we will be able to push for impeachment."

Regarding concerns that there might be a backlash from impeachment, he said, "Of course, there could be a backlash, but this (illegal act) is clear," adding, "Impeachment is done when a public official fails to perform their proper duties in violation of the law or the constitution, or when they make mistakes. We judge President Moon's actions this time to be clearly wrong."

He continued, "Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's massacre of prosecutors through personnel appointments, refusal to disclose indictments, and publicly inciting prosecutors not to listen to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl?all of these are wrong," adding, "This is why we mentioned impeachment."

Regarding the government's response to COVID-19, he said, "The initial response completely failed. We urged restrictions on entrants from China, but only Wuhan and Hubei Province were restricted, and on that very day, COVID-19 broke out in Guangdong Province. Looking at these things, the government failed to properly respond initially and failed in quarantine."

On the United Future Party's continued insistence on calling COVID-19 the 'Wuhan pneumonia,' he explained, "The government initially called it Wuhan pneumonia but then decided to call it COVID-19 to make it easier for the public to understand. The World Health Organization's (WHO) official name is COVID-19," adding, "We also use the term Wuhan pneumonia, which was used first to make it easier for the public to understand, and since the government is only considering China's feelings, we deliberately use that name to actively highlight this point."

Regarding recent discord over unification and candidate nominations, he said, "It will not explode greatly. Such conflicts have always existed before nominations," adding, "Everyone wants to be in a position where they can be comfortably elected, but it is much more desirable to show a willingness to sacrifice for the party in difficult places for the party's development."

Regarding the leadership of Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, who had previously said, "If I lead the party, the general election will be very difficult," he said, "I would give him over 90 points. He has led the party smoothly and well so far," adding, "Without his leadership, the conservative unification would not have proceeded as it has."

On Hwang's candidacy in Jongno, he said, "I naturally think he will win," adding, "Currently, the significant alienation of public sentiment is not being detected in opinion polls, and the current administration shows no attitude of admitting problems or reflecting on them, so I think these mistakes will continue to be repeated in the future."

Regarding Yoo Seung-min, who was a key figure in the unification, he said, "It is true that Representative Yoo played a certain role in the launch of the United Future Party," adding, "I think he will consider what role he will play in the general election, but personally, I hope he would join us by running in a difficult district in Seoul rather than not running."

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