Joo Ho-young: "The Gwanghwamun Rally Was Wrong from a Quarantine Perspective... The Message Should Be Taken to Heart"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said on the 18th that the Gwanghwamun rally led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, held at a time when a second wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is feared, was "wrong from a quarantine perspective," but added, "The serious message should be heeded."

Through CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the morning of the same day, Floor Leader Joo stated, "The Gwanghwamun rally should be viewed from two different dimensions. (The Democratic Party and the Blue House) ignoring the painful aspects and only talking about quarantine is failing to see the whole picture in a balanced way."

Floor Leader Joo said, "From the perspective of public quarantine, as COVID-19 infections continue to increase in Seoul through community transmission, the Gwanghwamun rally should not have taken place," but he also stated, "The risk of infection and the fact that despite heavy rain, people opposed the regime and criticized it should be viewed differently." He added, "At the very least, the Democratic Party and the Blue House should take this seriously."

Regarding the prosecution's request to revoke the bail of Pastor Jeon, who was diagnosed with COVID-19, Floor Leader Joo refrained from commenting, saying, "It is a matter for the presiding court to decide, and it is not appropriate to comment from outside whether it is right or excessive." However, he said, "A comprehensive judgment from a quarantine perspective should precede whether it is right for the bail to be revoked and for him to be detained in a detention facility or isolated in a hospital."

He criticized the ongoing truth dispute between the Blue House and the United Future Party over the meeting between President Moon Jae-in and opposition party leaders, saying, "Chief Secretary Choi Jae-sung made the remark casually as a greeting upon taking office," and added, "There was no clear refusal from the United Future Party, so for the newly appointed Chief Secretary to say 'it was rejected' seems like an alibi to show that we tried to have a dialogue."

Floor Leader Joo said, "The Democratic Party leader's term ends on the 29th, and he will step down 10 days later. Timing-wise, it is not appropriate for the president and party leader to meet, and there is no sincerity," and criticized, "The Chief Secretary officially announced the rejection and said, 'We are open. If you want to meet, just say so anytime.' I am skeptical whether such remarks help the atmosphere for dialogue."

However, he added, "Even countries at war have communication channels, and political leaders who share the intention for the country to prosper should meet," and "If the agenda is clear according to official procedures, there is no reason not to meet."

Regarding the fluctuating approval ratings between the United Future Party and the Democratic Party, Floor Leader Joo expressed confidence, saying, "The United Future Party has much room to rise, and it will be difficult for the Democratic Party to reverse its downward trend."

On the possibility of extending the term of Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, whose term lasts until the by-elections in April next year, he said, "It is not desirable for the party's leadership system to remain in an emergency state for a long time," but added, "The party's leadership system is decided according to the party constitution and the will of all party members, and it is a good situation if there are calls to 'continue because he is doing very well.'"

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