Daejeon Flood Concerns by Hwang Unha, Controversy Over 'Assembly Members Group Photo' Amid Flood Reports

Hwang Unha, member of the Democratic Party of Korea (second from the right), is smiling together with fellow party members Park Jumin, Lee Jaejung, Kim Namguk, Kim Seungwon, Kim Yongmin, and Choi Kangwook, leader of the Open Democratic Party. Photo by Choi Kangwook.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Hwang Un-ha, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, became embroiled in controversy after a photo of him smiling was posted while news of flooding damage in his constituency, Daejeon, was being reported.

At 2:43 PM on the 30th, a photo was posted on the Facebook page of Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, showing Hwang and fellow party members Park Joo-min, Lee Jae-jung, Kim Nam-guk, Kim Seung-won, and Kim Yong-min sitting side by side, smiling. However, the TV in the background of the photo was broadcasting news about the flooding damage in Daejeon.

Hwang’s constituency, Jung-gu, Daejeon, experienced heavy rain from early morning that day, causing residential areas to flood and resulting in one death.

The news on the TV screen was a special report about the flood damage in Daejeon and the issuance of a flood warning.

In response, the United Future Party criticized, saying, "It seems they have no regard for the people who are shedding tears of blood."

Hwang Gyu-hwan, deputy spokesperson of the United Future Party, said in a verbal statement that day, "Despite the news special report clearly broadcasting that a flood disaster occurred in Daejeon, Hwang and other Democratic Party lawmakers are laughing loudly," and criticized, "The Democratic Party only celebrates their own safety and achievement of their goals."

Regarding this, Hwang dismissed the criticism, saying, "They cunningly forced facts together to create controversy," and added, "The quality of the article reporting this is low, so there is little to comment on."

He argued, "We went to a lawmakers’ meeting, not to watch TV news. I didn’t even know the flood news was on the TV at that time," and questioned, "In a flood disaster situation, should all meetings be stopped and should we always have a crying expression?"

However, before Choi posted the photo, at 10:49 AM, Hwang wrote on his Facebook, "My heart aches deeply thinking of the residents suffering great damage from the flood on top of the already difficult times due to COVID-19."

He added, "I hope emergency disaster recovery budgets are urgently executed and all available personnel and resources from Daejeon City and Jung-gu Office are mobilized to restore the residents’ damages as soon as possible," and "To all Jung-gu residents affected by the flood, please do not lose hope and be courageous. I will rush to the site as soon as the National Assembly plenary session schedule is over. I will always be with you."

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