Ahn Cheol-soo: "The ruling party's 'muddying' by linking COVID-19 spread to opposition is truly petty"

Towards the Blue House and Government: "Cannot Escape Responsibility"
"Even if the Democratic Party Coordinates and Incites, There Is No Excuse"
Regarding the Controversy Over the President of the Liberation Association: "What Are the Thoughts of the Blue House and the Democratic Party?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, criticized on the 20th regarding the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), saying, “The ruling party’s attitude of linking the cause of the situation to specific individuals and opposition parties to dilute and shift the responsibility for the spread of COVID-19 and policy failures is truly petty.”

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Ahn said, “The attitude of trying to shift responsibility to each other is unlikely to gain the sympathy of the people,” and added, “If the Gwanghwamun rally was a problem at the level of individuals and specific groups, the complacency of the Blue House and the government in responding to COVID-19 cannot escape responsibility and criticism.”

He pointed out, “President Moon Jae-in prematurely talked about the end of the pandemic on July 20, and the government drastically reduced COVID-19 dedicated hospital beds in some hospitals in early August and canceled the designation of several infectious disease specialized hospitals,” and added, “They created new temporary holidays to stimulate consumption and distributed coupons for dining out and performances.”

He continued, “In short, isn’t this a message that there will be no further COVID-19 pandemic and that we should return to the way things were before?” and added, “Despite repeated warnings from experts about a second wave, the president and the government were so eager to promote their achievements that they disarmed medical staff and the public in front of COVID-19.”

Ahn criticized, “No matter how much the president shifts blame to others, and the ruling party floor leader incites by pinpointing targets for angry criticism, there is no excuse for the incompetence and irresponsibility of the Blue House and the government.”

Regarding the controversy over Kim Won-woong, president of the Liberation Association, and his Liberation Day commemorative speech on ‘clearing pro-Japanese collaborators,’ Ahn said, “What does the Blue House and the ruling party think about the Liberation Association president’s remarks?” and stated, “Those who maintain power through incitement and division, through division and conflict, have no right to speak of history or claim democracy.”

Ahn said, “(President Moon) should calmly reflect on why his approval rating has been halved in just four months and promptly present a plan for a full cabinet reshuffle and Blue House reorganization, including national administration reform,” adding, “If he stops insisting only on his own thoughts, respects the diverse opinions of the people, finds a compromise, and reaches out to the opposition party to practice cooperation, the key to solving problems will become visible. If not, it will not be long before criticisms that the president’s leadership is invisible arise, and the lame-duck phenomenon will cross the threshold of the administration.”

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