"I Tested Positive"... Mixed COVID-19 Outcomes for Former United Party Lawmakers Attending Rally

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The fortunes of former United Future Party lawmakers who attended the Liberation Day rally were mixed. Former lawmaker Cha Myung-jin tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), while former lawmaker Min Kyung-wook tested negative.

On the 19th, former lawmaker Cha posted on Facebook confirming his positive COVID-19 status. He was expelled before the general election due to controversial remarks made at the Sewol ferry tent and left the party after the election.

He stated, "On the morning of the 18th at 9 a.m., I voluntarily went to the temporary clinic at Cheongpyeong-myeon Public Health Center for testing," adding, "From the afternoon of the 17th, a message was sent under the name of the Disaster Headquarters instructing those who attended the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally to visit health centers or clinics for COVID testing."

Former lawmaker Cha said, "In August, due to various circumstances, I did not attend Sarang Jeil Church, and I did not stand on the podium at the Gwanghwamun rally," adding, "(At the Gwanghwamun rally) I arrived in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop at 12:30 p.m., went to the tent in front of the podium for about 10 minutes to greet the officials, and then left to go in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace."

He continued, "I had a meal with several unknown people at a pork stir-fry restaurant in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace," and advised, "If anyone who met or greeted me during the march or at the restaurant that day is reading this, I recommend you visit a health center for testing."

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Min posted a text message on Facebook showing a negative test result and asked, "Are you curious about my health status?" Former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae is currently awaiting his test results. Additionally, Hong Moon-pyo, the only incumbent United Future Party lawmaker who attended the rally, reportedly was not tested because he was not considered a target for testing.

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