"Stop the Blame Game" Citizens Frustrated by Ruling and Opposition's COVID-19 Responsibility Dispute

Opposition Continues Offensive on 'United Party Responsibility'
Criticism of Judge Who Approved Gwanghwamun Rally
Opposition: "Approaching Quarantine as Politics, Not Health"
Citizens: "Stop Political Strife... Time to Unite"

On the afternoon of the 15th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] On the 15th, amid the continued spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) centered around the Gwanghwamun rally and the members of Sarang Jeil Church, political circles are engaged in heated debates over who is responsible for the resurgence of COVID-19.

The Democratic Party of Korea mentioned Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, raising the "opposition party responsibility theory," and further brought up the "court responsibility theory" for permitting the Gwanghwamun rally.

The United Future Party, on the other hand, is focusing on countering by citing the government's and ruling party's "failure in quarantine" while trying to block the opposition party responsibility theory. Despite the urgent need to resolve the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 and to prepare quarantine measures, criticism arises that they are only absorbed in the blame-shifting battle. Citizens observing this are critical. Generally, there are calls to stop political strife for now and to do their best to prevent COVID-19.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum said on the 22nd at a joint untact (non-face-to-face) speech event held at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, "Some far-right forces disguised as religion are spreading the coronavirus," adding, "They are threatening the lives and safety of the people to shake the Moon Jae-in government."

He continued, "They are committing acts tantamount to terrorism to make it appear that the Moon Jae-in government has failed in COVID-19 quarantine. The police and prosecution must immediately find the source and eradicate it," asserting that some religious groups are spreading COVID-19.

The Democratic Party also brought up the court responsibility theory. As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases surged mainly around the Gwanghwamun rally, public criticism of the judge who permitted the rally intensified, leading to the proposal of the "Park Hyung-soon Prohibition Act" (an amendment to the Assembly and Demonstration Act and Administrative Litigation Act) named after the judge. Previously, the Democratic Party had also proposed the "Jeon Kwang-hoon Prohibition Act," named after Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who led the Gwanghwamun rally.

Rep. Lee Won-wook, who is running for the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council member election, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News

Representative lawmaker Lee Won-wook, who proposed the "Park Hyung-soon Prohibition Act," said to the court that permitted the rally, "The people call them 'pansaes' (a derogatory term combining 'judge' and a swear word). Such people are holding the judge's gavel and are once again manipulating state affairs. We will limit the judges' decision-making authority."

Regarding the background of the proposal, Lee said, "More than 200,000 people signed a petition to dismiss Judge Park, who allowed the Liberation Day rally. As revealed in the recent Gwanghwamun incident, it is dangerous for judges without medical knowledge to make such decisions." He also said, "We must remove Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, who has abetted virus terrorists."

In response, the United Future Party claims that the responsibility for the COVID-19 resurgence lies with the government and ruling party, and counters by calling the ruling party's offensive "political strife."

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, held an "Emergency COVID-19 Countermeasure Meeting" at the National Assembly on the 23rd and pointed out, "Looking at the COVID-19 resurgence situation, the government itself has largely dismantled the quarantine system built by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

He added, "Some hospitals drastically reduced COVID-19 beds, the government issued consumption coupons, allowed religious gatherings, and lifted restrictions on sports and tourism," criticizing, "Considering the president's remark that 'COVID-19 could end soon,' the government itself may have taken a complacent approach to COVID-19 quarantine measures."

Floor leader Joo Ho-young also said, "This government seems to approach COVID-19 quarantine not from a scientific or health perspective but politically," urging, "The government and the Democratic Party should refrain from engaging in political strife, shifting responsibility, and divisive rhetoric, and instead adhere to proper quarantine principles, appealing and encouraging the public to overcome COVID-19."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending an emergency countermeasure meeting related to COVID-19 held at the National Assembly on the 23rd, delivering a speech./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

As political disputes continue amid the severe crisis of COVID-19 spread, citizens express fatigue, saying, "Is this the time to fight each other?"

A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, said, "With confirmed cases recording in the 300s for three consecutive days, is this the time to blame each other?" He pointed out, "Citizens trying hard to follow government quarantine guidelines and medical staff working on the front lines are all making efforts. This is not the time to shift responsibility but a time to cooperate and unite. The political circles are only fostering division day after day."

Another office worker, Mr. B, also urged, "Please stop the political strife," adding, "The economy is worsening due to COVID-19, and people are struggling to make a living day by day. What is the purpose of political strife? Stop dividing people and come up with proper measures for the health and well-being of the people."

Former Dong-A University professor Jin Joong-kwon also commented on the 21st regarding responsibility for COVID-19 quarantine, saying, "Do not try to shift the error of policy judgment onto others," and emphasized, "Quarantine must be scientific. It should not be political or religious."

He continued, "Regardless of which side, such irresponsible behavior does not help quarantine at all," adding, "This is a matter concerning the health and lives of the people. Instead of complicating the problem, we need to think about ways to solve it."

Meanwhile, according to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 23rd, the number of new domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases was 397. This marked the third consecutive day with new confirmed cases in the 300s. The cumulative number of confirmed cases stands at 17,399.

With domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases recording triple digits daily, the government is also considering raising the current "social distancing" level from stage 2 to stage 3.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the same day, "If the current spread trend does not subside within this week, the quarantine authorities will have no choice but to consider raising the level to stage 3, which is a very serious situation."

He added, "Raising to stage 3 means stopping all daily activities except essential social and economic activities, which will inevitably have a fatal impact on the entire economy and cause painful consequences for everyone," emphasizing, "To firmly suppress the current spread in the metropolitan area, the special attention and participation of all citizens are urgently needed."

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