[Summary] Opposition "Criticizing Government" vs Ruling Party "Self-serving" Na Hoon-a's 'Principled Remarks' Divided Interpretation Between Ruling and Opposition Parties

Na Hoon-a "Never Seen a President Who Puts Life on the Line for the People"
Joo Ho-young "Representing Our Feelings Clearly"
Jung Cheong-rae "Seems Out of Mind... Don't Misinterpret"

KBS 2TV <2020 Hangawi Special Project Republic of Korea Again Na Hoon-a>. Photo by KBS 2TV

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Singer Na Hoon-a's "frank remarks" made during the Chuseok special KBS non-face-to-face concert have sparked differing opinions in the political sphere. The opposition party interpreted it as "a refreshing criticism of the Moon Jae-in administration," while the ruling party countered that it was an "excessive overinterpretation."

Earlier, during the '2020 Hangawi Grand Project Korea Again Na Hoon-a' performance broadcast on the 30th of last month, Na Hoon-a said, "I have never seen a king or president risk their life for the people," and added, "If the people have power, rulers cannot arise."

He also said, "I hope our KBS becomes a broadcaster for the people, listening to the voice of the people and echoing the same voice, without worrying about this or that, truly for the people."

Regarding this, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a virtual party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd, "Singer Na Hoon-a has refreshingly represented our feelings," and added, "If the people have power, rulers cannot arise. We must join hands with the people and protect this country with the people's power, risking our lives."

On the same party, lawmaker Jang Je-won wrote on his Facebook on the 3rd, "This Chuseok is truly Na Hoon-a Chuseok. To the good people, the tired people, and the people who keep shedding tears, he awakened the forgotten pride of the people by saying, 'You are the owners of the Republic of Korea.'"

On the other hand, figures from the ruling party have pushed back, saying the opposition is overinterpreting the remarks.

Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook on the 3rd, "The core of Na Hoon-a's remarks is that our people are great and deserve to have pride," and questioned, "Are the groups mocking the appeals of the quarantine authorities and supporting the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally and the October 3 National Foundation Day rally the kind of people who listen well and follow the words Na Hoon-a spoke?"

He continued, "Seeing those who should be ashamed of Na Hoon-a's remarks raise their heads and talk as if it's someone else's story, it seems these people are still not in their right minds," and added, "Do not misread or misrepresent Na Hoon-a's remarks."

Former Blue House spokesperson Park Soo-hyun also criticized on Facebook, saying, "Regarding Na Hoon-a's statement during the TV performance that 'I have never seen kings or presidents risk their lives for the people,' people are quick to claim it was a criticism of President Moon Jae-in or that they received greater comfort from Na Hoon-a than from President Moon. It is astonishing how politicians turn thankful words into tools of political strife with self-serving interpretations."

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