Kim Jong-in's Visit to KCDC... Kim Nam-guk Calls It "Nuisance" vs Lee Jun-seok Says "Interference? Absolutely Not"

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, visited the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk on the 21st and met with Director Jung Eun-kyung. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] There is a political dispute between the ruling and opposition parties over Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, meeting with Jeong Eun-kyung, the Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), amid the resurgence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day, "Meeting someone whose every minute and second is busy is itself a nuisance," and pointed out, "In the serious situation where COVID-19 is resurging nationwide, Director Jeong and the KDCA officials, who bear heavy responsibilities, are working extremely busily."

Kim said, "If you think about it a little, I believe it would have been better if the political circles had refrained from such actions," delivering a sharp criticism.

He added, "When I looked into what was discussed during the meeting, it turned out that the government had already upgraded the KDCA to the Korea Disease Control Agency to strengthen infectious disease response capabilities, but suddenly proposed to elevate it further to a ministerial-level department equivalent to a Cabinet member," and said, "It became somewhat ridiculous to give unsolicited advice to Director Jeong, one of the country's top experts."

He continued, "If the intention was to encourage and silently support by just posting a message on Facebook or sending some delicious snacks, that might have been politics that moved the public," he added.

Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the United Future Party, who appeared together, said, "From the opposition's perspective, visiting the KDCA was to find ways to cooperate," and refuted, "Interference? Absolutely not. I don't know how much time was lost, but neither Director Jeong nor the KDCA side has said that there was a problem with quarantine."

He added, "I don't know the basis for the ruling party's claim that there was interference," and explained, "The realm of politics is not primarily about expertise in controlling bureaucratic organizations or various processes. It plays a role in conveying opinions through the voices of the people, situational judgment, and comprehensive assessment."

He continued, "Isn't everything done with good intentions?" and criticized, "We will look for ways to further upgrade the organization. Also, local governments need to cooperate well. Saying that the opposition is not allowed to speak about these matters shows a lack of willingness for cooperation."

Meanwhile, it is known that Chairman Kim visited the KDCA in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the 21st and met with Director Jeong. It was reported that Chairman Kim proposed the establishment of a National Health Safety Department and raising social distancing to level 3 on that day.

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