"Quarantine Disruption" vs. "Regime Deaf to Public Sentiment"... Ruling and Opposition Parties Voice Different Opinions on Gaecheonjeol Rally

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kang Seon-woo is speaking at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee plenary session on the 17th. June 17, 2020.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] On the 3rd, marking Gaecheonjeol, both ruling and opposition parties voiced a unified call to reflect on the Hongik Ingan spirit, meaning "to broadly benefit humanity," but they clashed over differing views on the current state affairs.

Kang Seon-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "It is a joyous day when the nation's sky is opened, but unfortunately, due to the spread of COVID-19, the daily lives of the people are firmly closed today."

He continued, "The forced continuation of vehicle rallies on Gaecheonjeol by some groups has caused anxiety and fear greater than ever," emphasizing, "We will protect the lives of the people more thoroughly and strongly, keeping in mind all possibilities including obstruction of quarantine measures and resulting mass infections."

People Power Party's new spokesperson Kim Ye-ryeong is giving an inaugural address at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. September 10, 2020. Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's governance, stating, "COVID-19, an unstable livelihood economy, a precarious security situation, loss of values regarding fairness and justice, and human relationships judged by ideology have all emerged," adding, "I have doubts about whether the true meaning of Hongik Ingan is being properly carried on today."

She further declared, "We will stand firmly against the administration that continues its failures while closing its eyes and ears to public sentiment, and the ruling party that has abandoned its legislative role."

Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People's Party, urged self-reflection from all political circles, saying, "Our people, who fought and won against past deep-rooted evils, dreamed of politics that broadly benefits humanity, but now face politics that broadly harms humanity with even more chaotic and shameless new deep-rooted evils."

Jo Hye-min, spokesperson for the Justice Party, criticized, "On this day, it is time to reconsider whether the two major parties are truly acting with an attitude that 'broadly benefits' the citizens," and added, "The two major parties, who keep making excuses like party withdrawals and expulsions, should reflect on what their responsibilities as public parties are."

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