Government and Ruling Party Face Repeated Controversies Over 'COVID Remarks'... Spokesperson Hong Ik-pyo Resigns (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] In relation to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), remarks by government and ruling party officials that were close to gaffes have sparked backlash. Hong Ik-pyo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, ultimately resigned taking responsibility for his 'Daegu lockdown' comment.

The office of Democratic Party lawmaker Park Kwang-on responded to the 'gaffe controversy' on the 26th through an official statement, saying, "Lawmaker Park merely conveyed the content reported by the American news magazine Time." Earlier that day, at the Supreme Council meeting, Park stated, "The increase in confirmed cases paradoxically means that Korea's national system is functioning properly," but clarified that this was not his personal opinion but simply relaying Time magazine's viewpoint.

As Park's remarks spread widely, they sparked public outrage online, and the opposition United Future Party also criticized them in a statement, calling them "absurd perceptions of reality and reckless remarks" and "nonsense." In response, Park's office said, "Conveying the content of Time's article was intended to trust our capabilities and unite our efforts to overcome COVID-19," adding, "We earnestly request that reports portraying Park's delivery of Time's analysis as his own claim and describing the remarks as 'gaffes' or 'reckless comments' without considering the background and intent be refrained from."

However, considering that quoting news articles is also a form of expression, it seems difficult to avoid criticism for citing an article interpreting the increase in confirmed cases amid a rapidly growing number of infections as a sign that the national system is working well.

Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo's remarks also came under scrutiny. He appeared at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session that day and responded to lawmakers' questions by saying, "(The biggest cause of COVID-19 spread) is Koreans who came from China," adding, "Koreans without symptoms like coughing brought the infection source." He also said, "We apologize for the many patients confirmed now," and pointed out that "it is spreading within a specific religious group (Shincheonji)."

Minister Park's remarks faced criticism for blaming the public for the origin of COVID-19, which started in China. The United Future Party stated in a commentary, "It is not only shifting the government's responsibility, which was lukewarm about restricting Chinese entry while watching the outbreak country China, onto our people, but also deceiving the public by ignoring the fact that the first confirmed case of Wuhan coronavirus in Korea was a Chinese national."

Meanwhile, Hong Ik-pyo, the Democratic Party spokesperson who caused controversy with his Daegu lockdown remarks related to COVID-19, resigned that day taking responsibility for the comments. In a text message sent to reporters in the afternoon, he said, "Even a single word should be carefully considered, but I caused hurt to the residents of Daegu and Gyeongbuk," and added, "I take responsibility and step down from the chief spokesperson position."

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