與 "COVID-19 Infections Due to Gwanghwamun Rally" vs. 野 "Why No Mention of Minnocho?"

Heated Ruling and Opposition Party Dispute Over COVID-19 Resurgence
Ruling Party: "Resurgence Due to Gwanghwamun Rally" vs. Opposition: "Confirmed Cases in Minnocho... Double Standards"

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. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The ruling and opposition parties are fiercely clashing over responsibility for the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). On the 15th, the Democratic Party of Korea pointed to the 'August 15 Liberation Day government condemnation rally' led by some conservative groups as the cause of the resurgence, emphasizing the 'opposition party responsibility theory.'

On the other hand, the United Future Party rebutted on the same day, saying that the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) also held a large-scale rally in downtown Seoul, but the Democratic Party is avoiding mentioning it.

On the 24th, at the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, the Democratic Party emphasized the need for rapid comprehensive testing at the epicenters of COVID-19 resurgence such as the Gwanghwamun rally and Sarang Jeil Church, urging the United Future Party to cooperate in quarantine efforts.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, said, "The COVID-19 infections that started at Sarang Jeil Church and the Gwanghwamun rally have spread nationwide beyond the metropolitan area within a week," emphasizing, "The quarantine authorities must promptly conduct comprehensive testing targeting worshippers and their families."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also pointed out on the same day, "The United Future Party should stop fomenting national division and actively cooperate with quarantine efforts," adding, "They must strongly recommend that participants of the Gwanghwamun rally undergo diagnostic testing even now."

The Democratic Party has previously linked the Gwanghwamun rally with the United Future Party, raising the so-called 'opposition party responsibility theory.' At the Supreme Council meeting on the 21st, Lee said, "This explosion of infections started with some far-right groups and spread nationwide through the Gwanghwamun rally," strongly criticizing, "The United Future Party, conservative media, and some church actions that deny responsibility are incomprehensible."

Park Kwang-on, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, also claimed, "The second wave of COVID-19 was caused by far-right agitators who have been operating as one with the United Future Party," asserting, "Due to the United Future Party's neglect, a catastrophe-like event occurred."

On the afternoon of August 15, Liberation Day, participants are shouting slogans at the 'KCTU August 15 Workers' Rally' held in front of Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, the United Future Party rebutted, saying the ruling party is politicizing the infectious disease crisis and showing a 'double standard.' They held a press conference near Jonggak Station in Seoul with about 1,000 attendees but are avoiding mentioning this.

In particular, after it was revealed that one of the attendees at the KCTU rally on the 24th tested positive for COVID-19, the United Future Party unleashed a barrage of criticism.

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, said at a press conference that day, "In the process of the government and ruling party developing the logic that COVID-19 cases increased due to the Liberation Day rally, they tried to link the United Future Party, so they are not talking about the confirmed cases from the KCTU," criticizing, "The government’s attempt to politicize COVID-19 rather than focusing on treatment and quarantine has complicated the problem."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, pointed out, "Although experts warned of a second wave and mass infections, the government failed to prevent the second wave regardless of reasons," adding, "The government should apologize and seek cooperation, but it seems to care more about COVID-19 politics than quarantine."

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the United Future Party, wrote on his Facebook that day, "The Democratic Party is so busy attacking the United Future Party by linking it to the Gwanghwamun and Jeon Kwang-hoon rallies, but a confirmed case also appeared at the KCTU rally, which is on their side," criticizing it as "the Democratic Party’s double standard."

The quarantine authorities plan to assess the COVID-19 infection risk among KCTU rally participants and then decide on additional measures.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), said at a regular briefing held at the Disease Control Headquarters in Osong, Chungbuk, on the afternoon of the 24th, "A confirmed case has emerged among attendees of the KCTU rally," adding, "An investigation into movement paths, infection routes, and sources is underway."

She added, "We will first assess the risk of where the infection occurred and then decide on additional measures based on that risk."

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