At the First Meeting of the COVID Special Committee, the Opposition Criticizes "Moon Jae-in Government's Incompetence" vs. the Ruling Party's "Fact-Checking Fake News"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Jeon Jinyoung] Members of the United Future Party criticized the Moon Jae-in administration’s incompetence at the first meeting of the National Assembly’s COVID-19 Special Committee and insisted on summoning Blue House officials for reprimand. Members of the Democratic Party of Korea suggested that the committee’s activities should proceed without burdening the government’s quarantine efforts and focus on fact-checking 'fake news' and responding to current issues.

Park Dae-chul, a United Future Party lawmaker, said at the special committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 2nd, "I define the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) crisis as a man-made disaster," and criticized, "The fundamental reason our quarantine system was breached lies in the incompetence of the Moon Jae-in government."

He continued, "When there were only three confirmed cases, the government warned not to have excessive anxiety, and when there were 104 confirmed cases, they invited the Parasite filming crew to the Blue House and called the dish my wife dedicated 'jjapaguri,' causing despair among the entire nation," he criticized.

He also pointed out, "President Moon criticized the initial response failure when 18 MERS patients occurred, but now as president, he is too complacent and hypocritical." He added, "The government’s biggest control tower is President Moon," and "I demand that the Blue House aides who caused President Moon’s complacent situation awareness also be summoned."

Park said, "The government shifted responsibility to Shincheonji," and "According to Korea Tourism Organization statistics, 480,000 Chinese visited in January, but we have no understanding of how Chinese people influenced the infection. This issue must be approached seriously." Baek Seung-joo, also from the United Future Party, emphasized, "Responsible agencies and the Blue House must all be summoned for investigation."

Na Kyung-won, a United Future Party lawmaker, said, "I will not ask about past matters anymore," but criticized, "Shouldn’t the government manage the production, distribution, and sale process of masks even at this point?" She also said, "Measures are needed to establish a one-person-one-mask carrying system," and "They must present plans on how to prepare related medical measures."

Kim Soon-rye, also from the United Future Party, said, "There is concern about infections among people lining up to buy masks," and "I think this might be a critical moment that requires the government to even invoke emergency powers."

Democratic Party lawmakers proposed that the special committee’s activities proceed without burdening the government. They also insisted that the committee should conduct 'fact-checking' on fake news that stirs public anxiety.

Cho Seung-rae, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "There may be temptations for bad politics that exploit people’s fear and anxiety," and "I hope the committee proceeds in a way that alleviates the public’s fear and anxiety." He added, "There is a lot of fake news," and "I think it is necessary for both ruling and opposition parties to work together on fact-checking fake news."

He also emphasized, "We can leave the disputes for later," and "We need to focus on mask supply, securing hospital beds in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, and blocking confirmed cases." Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Yoon-jung also said, "I am concerned that response capabilities might be dispersed due to central government demands."

Meanwhile, Kim Jin-pyo, chairman of the special committee, proposed sending donations from the committee to Daegu. Chairman Kim said, "Let the committee members lead by example and collect donations, even small amounts, from many people to deliver to Daegu City." In response, Na Kyung-won said, "I fully agree," and Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jung said, "I hope this spreads further so that the entire National Assembly participates."

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