"Dear, I'm Sorry... Where Are All Our Supporters?" Cha Myung-jin's Late Regret

"Why Does Everything I Do Go Wrong... Is It Because I Keep Running Forward and Tripping Over Every Stone?"

Former Assemblyman Cha Myung-jin / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Former lawmaker Cha Myung-jin, who tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the rally in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 15th, expressed his feelings, saying, "Why does everything I do go wrong?"

On the 19th, Cha posted on his Facebook, "Honey, I'm sorry. Now that I'm entering the final stage of life, I should be more careful, but why do I keep running forward and stumbling over every stone?" He added, "Living with you, who is like a child by the water, with all these ups and downs, must be very hard on your heart," expressing his remorse toward his wife.

He said, "Honey, how many tears did you shed inside today? Seeing countless articles from the morning filled with phrases like 'Cha Myung-jin, serves him right' and 'He got what he deserved,' how torn your heart must have been."

He continued, "I heard your joke, 'Our husband has long become a monster, but there are still many things left for him to be cursed for.' Why did tears come out instead of laughter?" He added, "Where have all the people on our side gone in this crisis? Seeing people openly say that he is no longer part of our party in the United Future Party, where I served for 25 years, what must you have thought?"

Former lawmaker Cha said, "Those self-proclaimed right-wingers who usually stay silent but now curse the August 15 rally, what are they?" He added, "I will take good care of my health. Next time I go out, I will not change direction but will adjust my speed."

He also urged his wife, "After moving this time, I realized that when it's just the two of us, I don't envy any palace. Sleep well, and I hope the COVID test result you receive tomorrow is negative."

Earlier on the 19th, according to health authorities, Cha was tested for COVID-19 at the Gapyeong Cheongpyeong-myeon Public Health Center near his residence on the 18th and was confirmed positive around 4 a.m. that day. It was reported that Cha had been self-quarantining after attending the Gwanghwamun rally on the 15th.

In a post on his Facebook that day, Cha said, "I tested positive for COVID-19. I did not attend Sarang Jeil Church in August due to various circumstances, and I did not stand on the podium at the Gwanghwamun rally, but I went to the rally as a patriotic citizen."

He explained, "On the day of the rally, around 12:30 p.m., I arrived in front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop and greeted the officials at the tent in front of the podium for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, I had a meal at a pork stir-fry restaurant in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace with several people I did not know." He urged, "If anyone met or greeted me during the march or at the restaurant that day, I recommend you go to the health center and get tested."

Regarding his symptoms, he said, "I just checked my temperature, and it was 36.9 degrees Celsius. Last night, I had minor coughs about 2 to 3 times per hour. I feel a bit dizzy, but maybe it's because I heard I tested positive, so I'm not sure."

Meanwhile, Cha was expelled from the United Future Party on April 13 after causing controversy with offensive remarks toward the families of the Sewol ferry victims during a debate on April 8.

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