"Is the Prosecutor Difficult?" "Mind Your Own Business, United Party"… United Party Distances Itself from Far-Right

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party drew a line by criticizing far-right figures such as former lawmaker Cha Myung-jin and former Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo. Amid ruling party claims of the 'United Future Party's responsibility' for the Liberation Day rally, the party appears to be distancing itself from far-right forces.

On the 20th, Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam National University and chairman of the United Future Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, said on Facebook to former lawmaker Cha, "Stop tarnishing the democratization movement and stop worrying about the United Future Party; focus on recovering from COVID-19."

On the same day, former lawmaker Cha criticized Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, regarding his 'kneeling apology' in Gwangju, saying, "If he is ashamed of his past involvement with the National Security Planning during the May 18 incident, he should reflect alone. Why drag the innocent United Future Party into this, kneel down, and make a fuss?"

Professor Kim responded, "As a fellow political science alumnus and democratization movement comrade, I am no longer angry or surprised by the senior's stubbornness and distorted thinking, and why criticize Chairman Kim's May 18 repentance? Is it because the United Future Party is angry about breaking ties with the Taegeukgi faction? The party leader's kneeling apology and repentance were long overdue and entirely appropriate."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

United Future Party floor spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin also targeted former Governor Kim on Facebook on the 19th, saying, "Watching the news about some individuals refusing measures for testing is truly frustrating and regrettable," criticizing Kim for refusing police accompaniment for testing.

Spokesperson Bae said, "Is testing such a difficult task? Even if not currently holding office, prominent figures who once held national responsibilities should cooperate more actively with government quarantine measures," adding, "Public officials exposed to the public or influential figures around them should respond more proactively and responsibly at every stage of quarantine."

On the 17th, former Governor Kim posted a video of a scuffle with police on his Facebook, saying, "After finishing the Kim Moon-soo TV broadcast tonight, while waiting for the subway at National Assembly Station, three uniformed police officers rushed over to accompany Director Seo Han-gyeol. They said I was subject to mandatory testing because I attended the Sarang Jeil Church service," and added, "They also said that Chairman Seong Chang-kyung and I should go with them." The police withdrew their accompaniment request after Kim's protest, but he criticized this as 'COVID-19 excuse dictatorship.'

In response to Spokesperson Bae's criticism, former Governor Kim posted again on Facebook, saying, "Is testing really that difficult? I never thought or said that. What kind of cudgel is this coming from an opposition party spokesperson?" He rebutted, "If police officers stop me late on a Sunday night on my way home and ask me to go for a COVID test without presenting any grounds, is Spokesperson Bae telling me to comply obediently?"

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