Kim Tae-nyeon: "Claiming Punitive Damages for Antisocial Quarantine Interference"

Regarding the United Future Party: "Both Ruling and Opposition Parties Must Participate in the Summit Meeting"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that he will establish a legal basis to claim punitive damages for antisocial acts that obstruct quarantine measures, in response to the sharp increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 due to the Gwanghwamun rally. He also emphasized the necessity of a meeting attended by leaders of both parties, rather than a solo meeting between President Moon Jae-in and the United Future Party, to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Floor Leader Kim said, “Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon is showing an irrational behavior that is neither understandable nor tolerable, such as shifting responsibility to the government and quarantine authorities through newspaper advertisements instead of apologizing.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He added, “Furthermore, conspiracy theories are spreading that try to portray the members of Sarang Jeil Church as victims,” and stated, “Strong accountability must be imposed for intentional obstruction of quarantine.”

Floor Leader Kim reiterated the responsibility of the United Future Party and proposed a summit meeting involving leaders from both ruling and opposition parties. He said, “It is very important to recommend diagnostic tests for politicians and party members of the United Future Party who attended the rally,” and added, “Recommendations and guidelines from the United Future Party leadership will have a great effect on its members and supporters. I hope they fulfill their responsibilities as a legitimate political party, regardless of party lines.”

He continued, “The United Future Party once again showed a conditional attitude toward the Blue House meeting by citing justifications. I want to ask what justification is greater than overcoming the COVID-19 economic crisis in the current situation,” and urged, “Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, has also mentioned overcoming the COVID-19 crisis as an agenda for the summit meeting. If the United Future Party has any justifications or conditions, please clarify them.”

He then emphasized, “Right now, it is an urgent situation like the old saying 철부지급 (轍?之急), meaning a desperate state like a carp trapped in water pooled in a wheel rut,” and stressed, “In times of emergency, practicality takes precedence over justification. It is necessary for President Moon and the leaders of both ruling and opposition parties to meet decisively, discuss overcoming the crisis, and agree on practical measures for people’s livelihoods.”

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