"I've Been a Member of the National Assembly Three Times" Kim Moon-soo Clashes with Police... Bae Hyun-jin Asks, "Is It Difficult to Get a COVID Test?"

Kim Moon-soo Reacts Angrily to COVID Testing Demand
Bae Hyun-jin Targets Kim Moon-soo, "Is Testing Difficult?"
Ha Tae-kyung: "Christian Liberty Unification Party Must Be Disbanded for Mobilizing Gwanghwamun Rally"

The photo shows former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo talking with police officers at a subway station. Photo by Kim Moon-soo, former Gyeonggi Province Governor, Facebook capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo refused the police's request to accompany him for a COVID-19 test and even scolded them, sparking a so-called 'gapjil controversy.' In response, the United Future Party appears to be distancing itself from Kim.

Earlier on the 17th, Kim posted a video on his Facebook, questioning, "Since when did the Korean police start caring about other people's health?" and showed a confrontation with police officers.

In the video, Kim Moon-soo shouted at the police officers requesting a COVID-19 test, saying, "I am Kim Moon-soo, so why are you telling me to go?" and "What do you take me for?" strongly refusing the test.

Despite the police's continued requests for testing, Kim shouted, "Why are you trying to take me along?" and "Give me a reason why you want me to go," raising his voice.

He then said, "Since when did the Korean police start caring about other people's health? You shouldn't be doing this," and raised his voice, adding, "I have been a member of the National Assembly three times." The police explained to Kim, "Please don't misunderstand. We are just asking for your intention."

In response to the police's actions, Kim wrote on his Facebook, "Where in the world is there such a 'COVID excuse dictatorship'?" and "Why are police officers trying to forcibly detain people who are leaving work? I feel troubled thinking that I am not the only one who has to endure such absurdity under the pretext of COVID."

Assemblywoman Bae Hyun-jin of the United Future Party is answering questions from the press after finishing a protest visit to the Speaker's office at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 12. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Criticism continued from the United Future Party regarding Kim's 'gapjil controversy.' On the 20th, Bae Hyun-jin, the party's floor spokesperson, wrote on her Facebook, "Watching the news about a certain person refusing measures for testing is truly frustrating and regrettable. Is testing such a difficult task?"

Although she did not directly mention Kim, it is interpreted as a veiled criticism of Kim's behavior, who was active in the same party.

Bae added, "Even if they are not currently in office, prominent figures who once held national responsibilities should cooperate more actively with the government's quarantine measures," and said, "Public officials exposed to the public or influential people around them should respond more proactively to all quarantine stages with greater responsibility."

Party member Ha Tae-kyung also shared a media report on his Facebook stating that the Christian Liberty Unification Party, for which Kim served as co-chairman of the election countermeasures committee, gathered participants for a rally in Gwanghwamun, saying, "The Christian Liberty Unification Party has become an antisocial party," and criticized, "Such a party should not exist. They must apologize to the people and voluntarily disband."

He continued, "Before the party disbands, there is one last task: to have all those mobilized for the Gwanghwamun rally undergo COVID-19 testing," and pointed out, "Some attendees refuse testing fearing disadvantages if their identities are revealed. That is not the case. Refusing the test harms the health of themselves, their families, and those around them. Therefore, they should immediately visit nearby health centers for free testing."

Finally, he emphasized, "I once again urge the Christian Liberty Unification Party to complete the final mission of mandatory testing for rally participants, sincerely apologize to the people, and voluntarily disband."

Meanwhile, Kim Moon-soo rebutted the gapjil controversy as "the pot calling the kettle black." On the 19th, he wrote on his Facebook, "They say I committed gapjil, but the media's gapjil dispute is the pot calling the kettle black."

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