Co-CEO Kim Jeong-hwa: "Jeong Dong-young's Statement Refusing to Pay Tribute to 5·18 Is False"

"It was during the COVID-19 spread period... Defamatory remarks"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 24th, the office of Kim Jeong-hwa, co-representative of the Minsaeng Party, stated, “The claim by Minsaeng Party lawmaker Jeong Dong-young that Co-representative Kim deliberately refused to pay respects at the 5·18 cemetery is false information and a political slander.”

Kim’s office said in a statement from the Minsaeng Party’s party leader secretariat that “the end of February was a critical period when the COVID-19 outbreak rapidly spread due to the Shincheonji Church cluster infection in Daegu,” and “after taking office, Co-representative Kim declared at the Supreme Council meeting that party events would be minimized except for essential meetings.”

Regarding the visit to the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, Kim’s office explained, “It was agreed between the co-representatives to postpone the visit until the COVID-19 situation calmed down and to decide on a meaningful date later, such as after the party’s election campaign committee was formed.”

Kim’s office added, “The honor of the party leader is the honor of the party,” and said, “We will strongly respond to any future defamatory remarks based on false information. We apologize to the citizens of Gwangju who may have been hurt by political strife within the party.”

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