Hwang Kyo-an: "The Ruling Party, Captivated by Electoral Engineering, Makes Outrageous Remarks About Daegu-Gyeongbuk... The President Must Correct This"

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, criticized the ruling party figures for their offensive remarks about the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region and raised his voice urging the president to correct them.

On the 9th, at the Supreme Council meeting held during the National Assembly plenary session, Leader Hwang pointed out, "Ruling party figures are still trapped in outdated election tactics and continue to make disparaging remarks about Daegu-Gyeongbuk." Earlier, a youth committee member of the Democratic Party of Korea caused controversy by posting on an internet community, "Daegu is a United Future Party area, so it’s okay to cut ties."

In response, Leader Hwang said, "There was no mass exodus like in foreign countries in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, nor was there panic buying. There are local internet shopping mall owners who did not sell masks to China but distributed them to residents, and restaurants that, despite obvious losses, refused dine-in customers and only offered takeout and delivery, demonstrating civic spirit in action." He added, "I hope the president and the ruling party leadership will take the lead in correcting this kind of (offensive) political culture."

Regarding the response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he also criticized the government for being 'ignorant of market economy' after a company announced it would stop production when asked to produce masks at a loss. Leader Hwang raised his voice, saying, "We, as the opposition, cannot overlook the policy confusion and amateurish administration related to recent mask measures. If you tell companies to produce masks at a loss, who on earth would willingly produce them?"

He pointed out, "The regime, ignorant of corporate realities and market economy order, crushes the will of economic agents and then says it was a 'mistake' or a 'misunderstanding.' The five-day mask distribution system starting today is still in chaos, such as suddenly expanding the proxy purchase eligibility the day before implementation."

Regarding the Democratic Party’s launch of a proportional representation party, he criticized, "They should rather confess regret over the mixed-member proportional representation system (Yeonbi system). It seems the Democratic Party of Korea, blinded by the number of seats, has even forgotten the secret agreements among colluding forces." Leader Hwang raised his voice, saying, "Didn’t they forcefully pass this monstrous election law by trampling the opposition with all sorts of violence and illegality, pretending the Yeonbi system was an absolute political reform task? The decision by all party members is essentially a tactic to evade responsibility and is truly shameless."

He also raised his voice that the government should issue a stern warning regarding North Korea’s missile provocations. Leader Hwang said, "They first hurled insults through Kim Yo-jong, then suddenly exchanged letters and sent hollow condolences, only to launch missile provocations again. This is completely playing with us. I will watch whether President Moon Jae-in remains silent again or issues a warning representing the will of the people."

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