[Summary] Moon's 'Divisiveness' Controversy... Ruling Party: "What Wrong Did the President Do?" vs Opposition: "Nation in Shock"

President Moon: "Comfort to Nurses Who Took on Doctors' Burdens Too"

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over a senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 31st of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Political controversy over 'division' is intensifying regarding President Moon Jae-in's post encouraging nurses on Facebook on the 2nd.

Ruling party lawmakers stated that there was no problem with President Moon's message praising the hard work of nurses, while opposition parties pointed out that the president is fueling internal conflicts within the medical community.

On the 3rd, Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party (formerly the United Future Party), posted on her Facebook, criticizing, "The president's message dividing doctors and nurses shocked many citizens."

She added, "'Division' is a strange word that has become the most common buzzword under this government," and urged, "To overcome this national crisis expected to be a long-term battle, I hope the government devises data-based measures and refrains from political interference."

Yoon also emphasized, "The moment political logic interferes with quarantine and treatment, the public's trust in the country collapses," and stressed, "To overcome this national crisis, the government's quarantine policy based on accurate data and the public's full cooperation based on trust are absolutely necessary."

She continued, "I wonder if there is any government that wants citizens to blame and hate each other, but too many circumstances make it difficult to trust the government."

Heo Eun-ah, also from the People Power Party, joined the criticism. Through Facebook that day, Heo sarcastically said, "I worry how far the Moon administration's dividing details will go," adding, "At this pace, it seems it will become a nano government that splits our society down to nano units, dividing teachers and students, parents and children, husbands and wives."

She pointed out, "The Moon administration's national governance policy can be explained by this one thing: division," and criticized, "They divided landlords and tenants, and now they are dividing doctors and nurses."

Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People's Party, also commented, "Why don't you realize that belittling doctors' efforts and seeking cheap sympathy for nurses is unacceptable language from any side?" and emphasized, "I hope the president realizes that the paramount task is national unity."

On the afternoon of the 26th of last month, medical staff are holding a picket protest behind the gowns they took off at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, some figures within the ruling party criticized the very perspective of 'division' and criticized related media reports.

Goh Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on her Facebook that day, "There is a fuss calling President Moon's thank-you message to nurses a division. I was surprised thinking, 'Oh, it can be seen this way,'" and pointed out, "All the media reported the content, making the president's outstretched hand rather awkward."

She added, "Why has our society become so extreme?" and said, "It's like extending a hand to a person collapsed on the street, but being angry asking for what purpose."

She further criticized, "Pretending not to see even after seeing. Should we just pass by whenever someone is hurt?" and questioned, "Is it so difficult to be grateful for someone's dedication and simply accept that gratitude as it is?"

Jeong Cheong-rae also defended President Moon by posting on his Facebook the previous day titled, "What exactly did President Moon do wrong?"

Jeong criticized, "There are people picking fights with President Moon who comforted the hard work of nurses. If you don't know, just stay quiet," and said, "What fault does the president have for comforting and encouraging the nurses who are working hard on the front lines of quarantine?"

Earlier, President Moon posted on his Facebook the previous day, saying, "It must be hard and difficult as you fight a long battle with COVID-19, and you have to bear the burden of doctors on a long-term strike."

Some criticized that President Moon's remarks praising nurses incite conflicts within the medical community.

The Blue House stated there is no problem. Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min attended the National Assembly Steering Committee plenary meeting that day and dismissed the controversy over President Moon's 'division' by saying, "We have expressed gratitude to doctors several times so far."

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