"Because of Far-Right Rally" "Issue of Quarantine Failure"... Stop the Ruling and Opposition Party Disputes

Ongoing Clashes Between Ruling and Opposition Amid COVID Resurgence
Self-Reflection Within Democratic and United Parties... "Focus on Quarantine First" Voices

Reporter Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] As the political sphere has clashed over the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) political dispute for nearly ten days, voices of self-reflection have begun to emerge within. Criticism arose that the political arena is fostering hostility and division through a 'blame game,' strengthening calls to "focus on quarantine measures first."

Amid the clear trend of COVID-19 resurgence since last week, the political sphere spent the entire week attacking each other over responsibility.

The Democratic Party of Korea blamed the United Future Party, saying, "The rallies by far-right forces fueled COVID-19." Without mentioning the government's quarantine failures, they raised the level of criticism with statements like "Chairman Kim Jong-in, who abetted virus terrorists, must be removed" (Rep. Lee Won-wook) and "The United Future Party should apologize to the public for facilitating the rallies" (Floor Leader Kim Tae-nyeon).

The United Future Party counterattacked, saying, "The government is responsible for quarantine failures." Chairman Kim pointed out, "When the situation calmed down in March, the president took off his mask, saying COVID-19 would disappear soon," and Floor Leader Joo accused, "The government designated temporary holidays and issued dining coupons, creating the perception that COVID-19 was ending." They highlighted only the government's mistakes, omitting any mention of current and former United Future Party lawmakers attending the far-right rallies.

In response, calls to restrain political disputes came from within the political sphere. On the 24th, Democratic Party Rep. Yoon Geon-young urged on his Facebook, "The most urgent matter right now is to stop the spread of COVID-19, which is on the brink of the greatest crisis," and "We must halt political disputes while the entire nation is fighting COVID-19."

Although he only cited remarks from United Future Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, Floor Leader Joo Ho-young, Justice Party Leader Shim Sang-jung, and People's Party Leader Ahn Cheol-soo, he stated, "Politics, which should reassure the people and look after their livelihoods, must not instead increase public anxiety."

Rep. Yoon emphasized, "It is natural for political leaders to act according to their party's interests, but there are times when even that must be restrained," adding, "Let's first control COVID-19, which is like a storm before the calm, and then debate and discuss. It is when the quarantine authorities, political sphere, economic sector, and the entire nation focus their efforts on a single goal."

On the same day, United Future Party Rep. Park Soo-young said on YTN Radio, "In a national crisis like COVID-19, there should be no distinction between ruling and opposition parties, or conservatives and progressives," and "We should focus on how to conduct quarantine rather than assigning blame."

He added, "The August 15 Gwanghwamun rallies, including Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon's rally and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' rally, were all undesirable." While mentioning that COVID-19 was already spreading, Rep. Park criticized, "The primary responsibility lies with the government," but also said, "The Gwanghwamun rally bears responsibility for worsening the situation."

Rep. Lee Won-wook of the Democratic Party, who had been critical of the United Future Party, shifted the focus of blame to the far-right rallies on the 25th. Within the United Future Party, there is a sentiment against linking the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Democratic Party, which held rallies on the same day as the far-right forces, for attacks.

A political insider said, "Once the camps start fighting, no progress can be made in discussions about quarantine," adding, "We need to pause assigning responsibility and unite efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19."

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