Lee Nak-yeon on Controversy Over Condolence Visit to Icheon: "I Feel Ashamed... I Accept Criticism Painfully"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Lee Nak-yeon, chairman of the Democratic Party's COVID-19 National Crisis Overcoming Committee, apologized for causing controversy during a conversation with the bereaved families of the Icheon logistics warehouse fire, saying, "It was my lack of self-discipline for not fully recognizing the grief of the bereaved families. I feel ashamed."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 6th, after finishing a meeting of the Democratic Party's COVID-19 National Crisis Overcoming Committee Emergency Economic Measures Headquarters at the National Assembly, Lee told reporters, "I painfully understand the grief and anger of the bereaved families. It is natural that my shallow thoughts cannot reach the hearts of the bereaved families," expressing his apology.

He also said, "I painfully accept criticism directed at me, including from Jang Je-won of the United Future Party," and added, "I am grateful for the good advice." He further stated, "I hope that the ongoing consultations between the bereaved families and the authorities will be concluded quickly while reflecting the wishes of the bereaved families as much as possible."

Additionally, he emphasized, "The Democratic Party and I will do our best to improve laws and systems to prevent such misfortunes from recurring."

On the 5th, Lee, who visited the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Icheon logistics warehouse fire in Gyeonggi Province as a mourner, caused controversy during a meeting with the bereaved families by responding, "I am not currently in office and am not in a position to make responsible statements, so it is difficult to speak definitively." In response, on the 6th, Representative Jang criticized Lee on his Facebook, calling him "the essence of politics with reason but no tears."

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