Joo Ho-young: "The ruling party desperately tries to link the United Future Party with rallies... petty and mean-spirited"

"Apology for 5·18, It Should Have Been Done Sooner but It's Too Late"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said on the 20th regarding the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), “It seems that the Democratic Party of Korea is desperately trying to link the United Future Party with the rallies, perhaps to avoid responsibility for the quarantine authorities, government, and ruling party,” and drew a clear line by stating, “The August 15 rally was neither hosted by the United Future Party nor did we encourage or recommend participation, and none of our members took the microphone to give a speech.”

At the emergency countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Joo said, “Trying to link our party to the failure of quarantine and evade responsibility in any way is a petty and shabby behavior,” and added, “I hope the ruling party acts more magnanimously and appropriately.”

Floor Leader Joo pointed out, “The August 15 rally was an event that should not have been held because many citizens had serious concerns and worries,” and continued, “However, considering the incubation period of COVID-19, the confirmed cases around August 12-13 do not appear to have been infected at the rally. These cases were infections that occurred due to gaps in quarantine measures prior to that.”

He stated, “However, since the number of confirmed cases is increasing so widely, there is a possibility of further spread through large-scale rallies, so those participants who are concerned should all get tested, and it would be good if the government and quarantine authorities do not create a situation where testing is discouraged.”

Floor Leader Joo said, “Yesterday, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, visited the Gwangju 5·18 Cemetery, sincerely apologized to the citizens of Gwangju, the residents of Jeonnam Province, and the nation, and knelt down,” adding, “This was something our party should have done earlier and obviously should have done, but it was too late. Our party members must each keep in mind and strive so that no further remarks or actions by our members cause wounds to the people, citizens of Gwangju, or residents of Jeonnam Province in relation to the May 18 Democratic Movement.”

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