"'No Loyalty', 'Kim Jong-in is Left-wing': Far-right Figures and YouTubers Boil Over as United Party Draws the Line"

Kim Jin-tae "Main opposition party is ambiguous... throwing stones when unity is needed"
Min Kyung-wook "Kim Jong-in and Ha Tae-kyung call me far-right"
United Party maintains stance to distance from far-right groups

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] As the United Future Party actively distances itself from some figures who participated in the 'August 15 Liberation Day Commemoration Rally Condemning the Moon Jae-in Government,' hardline conservative figures have voiced their opposition.

Former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Jin-tae wrote on his Facebook on the 26th, "The shamelessness of this regime is not a recent matter, yet the main opposition party is ambiguous. Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon has no relation to the United Future Party and should rather be subject to measures," criticizing, "How can you do politics without loyalty like this? Politics is done by people after all."

He continued, "I did not go to Gwanghwamun to see Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon. I went voluntarily to resist the regime's reckless actions," pointing out, "We should be joining forces to fight dictatorship, but instead, stones are being thrown."

Former United Future Party lawmaker Min Kyung-wook strongly criticized the party leadership and some lawmakers in a Facebook post that day. He expressed resentment, saying, "Kim Jong-in and Ha Tae-kyung, who have been wandering around somewhere, came into the party and call me far-right," adding, "To you leftists, I must look like that. To the genuine right-wing United Future Party members, I must look soft."

Far-right YouTubers also joined the criticism of the United Future Party. Shin Hye-sik, CEO of the YouTube channel 'God's Move,' said in a live broadcast that day, "It will take time to remove Kim Jong-in (from the United Future Party Emergency Committee), but former lawmakers Kim Jin-tae, Min Kyung-wook, and Cha Myung-jin are fighting hard," emphasizing, "We should encourage and applaud these people."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee Chairman-Senior Lawmakers Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, the United Future Party stated its position to distance itself from hardline conservative figures who participated in the Liberation Day rally. Kim Jong-in, chairman of the United Future Party Emergency Committee, said at a press conference that day, "I do not listen to unnecessary talk regarding the COVID-19 situation," adding, "I believe everyone must comply with the guidelines issued by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and no dissent can be allowed." This was interpreted as a veiled criticism of the Liberation Day rally, which went ahead with a large-scale protest despite the Seoul city government's administrative order on the 15th banning large gatherings in the city center.

Meanwhile, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said on a radio broadcast on the 25th, "Our party is different from those so-called far-right figures," adding, "We are different from Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, and the party has no connection whatsoever with the Liberation Day rally."

He further stated, "We should not just leave extreme claims as they are but clearly oppose such (far-right group) thoughts and make it clear that our views differ," explaining, "I have received advice that only then can moderate citizens support the (United Future) Party," signaling a plan to distance from hardline conservative figures and parties.

Ha Tae-kyung, a lawmaker from the same party, also appeared on a radio broadcast that day, emphasizing, "We must speak even more strongly about breaking ties with (far-right groups) within the party," and "We must discard all past mistakes within our party."

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