Kim Geun-sik: "Don't Politicize the Gwanghwamun Rally by Blaming It for Quarantine Failures"

Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam University and chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong district of the United Future Party./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] Professor Kim Geunsik of Gyeongnam University pointed out regarding the controversy surrounding the Gwanghwamun Liberation Day (8/15) rally attended by conservative groups including the Sarang Jeil Church congregation, saying, "You can never overcome COVID-19 through the 'politicization' of the virus."

In a post on his Facebook on the 19th, Professor Kim said, "Both the Gwanghwamun rally attendees who claim that positive cases are a (regime's) conspiracy and the government that shifts the responsibility for quarantine failures onto the Gwanghwamun rally should stop the political approach to COVID-19."

Regarding the government's COVID-19 related policies, Professor Kim pointed out, "It was the government that designated temporary holidays and encouraged outings through coupons for dining out, performances, and lodging during the holiday period, and it was also the government that relaxed restrictions on religious facility gatherings despite concerns."

He continued, "Now, blaming the second large-scale infection on the anti-Moon Jae-in rally in Gwanghwamun is politicizing COVID-19," emphasizing, "Just as Shincheonji and sexual minorities were demonized to shift responsibility, if the Gwanghwamun rally is demonized again and a witch hunt is launched, the second large-scale COVID-19 infection cannot be prevented."

Regarding the recent sharp increase in COVID-19 cases centered in the metropolitan area, the ruling and opposition parties continue to exchange blame. In response, Professor Kim said, "A normal government should credit the people and medical staff for quarantine success and the government should be the first to bow its head and take responsibility for quarantine failures."

Professor Kim also urged the Gwanghwamun rally attendees, saying, "The more the Moon Jae-in government, which failed in quarantine, tries to blame the Gwanghwamun rally for the COVID-19 pandemic, the more the attendees should show sincere cooperation to avoid giving the current regime and the Democratic Party an excuse for a witch hunt. Those who attended the Gwanghwamun rally should voluntarily go to screening clinics to get tested for COVID-19 and strictly observe self-quarantine."

He also emphasized to the United Future Party, "It is necessary for the leadership to step forward and publicly appeal for voluntary participation in COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine among rally participants."

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