[Summary] Lee Nak-yeon "I Understand the Grief of the Bereaved... My Lack of Self-Cultivation" Apologizes for 'Condolence Remarks Controversy'

Opposition Parties Unite in Criticism Over Talks with Former PM Lee Family
Lee Nak-yeon "Painfully Accepts Criticism"

Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Nak-yeon, Chair of the COVID-19 National Crisis Overcome Committee, visited the joint memorial altar set up at the Icheon logistics warehouse construction site fire at Seohui Youth Culture Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province on the afternoon of the 5th to pay his respects. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 6th, former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon apologized, saying he felt "ashamed" after getting into a dispute with bereaved families while visiting the joint memorial altar for the victims of the logistics warehouse fire disaster in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 5th.

After attending a meeting of the Emergency Economic Countermeasures Headquarters of the COVID-19 National Crisis Overcoming Committee held at the National Assembly that day, former Prime Minister Lee told reporters, "I painfully understand the grief and anger of the bereaved families."

He added, "It is obvious that my shallow thoughts cannot reach the hearts of the bereaved families," and said, "My lack of cultivation is that I did not fully recognize that."

He also said, "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," and "The Democratic Party and I will do our best to improve laws and systems so that such misfortunes do not recur."

On the previous day (the 5th), former Prime Minister Lee visited the joint memorial altar but became embroiled in controversy after the bereaved families protested, saying, "The political circles only fight and have not prepared any measures," to which he responded, "I am not a member of the National Assembly," and "This is my position."

Lee Nak-yeon, Chairman of the Democratic Party's COVID-19 National Crisis Response Committee, Visits Joint Memorial Altar for Icheon Fire Disaster
On the afternoon of the 5th, Lee Nak-yeon visited the joint memorial altar set up at the Seohee Youth Culture Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, for the Icheon logistics warehouse construction site fire disaster and was moving to offer flowers. [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the same day, Jang Je-won, a member of the Future United Party, wrote on his Facebook, "This is a typical case of politics with only a head and no heart," and added, "The conversation with the wailing bereaved families sends chills down my spine."

Cho Su-jin, spokesperson for the Future Korea Party, said, "Seeing him avoid giving a direct answer, the public's criticism calling him the 'second oil eel' does not sound baseless."

Jung Woo-sik, spokesperson for the Minsheng Party, commented, "In short, Lee Nak-yeon's hollow condolence caused great disappointment to the bereaved families," and criticized, "His response to the bereaved families was inappropriate."

Spokesperson Jung added, "It feels as if he gave sharp and logical answers during government questioning with opposition lawmakers while serving as Prime Minister," and claimed, "It has become clear that influential figures from both ruling and opposition parties have been giving false hope to the bereaved families under the guise of consolation. Condolences are sufficiently suspected to be a means for politicians to improve their image."

In response to the opposition's criticism, former Prime Minister Lee said, "I take the criticism from Representative Jang and others deeply and appreciate the good advice." Regarding his remark to the bereaved families that he was "not a member of the National Assembly," he explained, "I responded because they mentioned that the National Assembly has been fighting for the past few years." When asked whether he would visit the bereaved families again, former Prime Minister Lee said, "I will think about it later."

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