In the Dongbu Detention Center Incident, Ruling Party Says "Political Offensive Is Excessive," Opposition Demands "President Moon Must Apologize"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea stated regarding the group infection incident at Dongbu Detention Center, "We will firmly respond to the opposition party's excessive political attacks." The People Power Party has called for President Moon Jae-in to conduct an on-site inspection and issue an apology.

Kang Seon-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a morning briefing on the 3rd, "We take the public's criticism of the initial response being inadequate very seriously," adding, "However, we will firmly respond to the opposition party's excessive political attacks that mislead public opinion in order to fit the puzzle of the 'failure in quarantine' theory."

He criticized, "The prime minister and ministers have already apologized, yet the opposition repeatedly demands apologies in a 'stamp-breaking' manner, accuses us of negligent homicide, and even compares the president to the Sewol ferry captain using this incident as a pretext. There is no sincerity for the people, only reckless remarks for political strife."

He continued, "National crises are not subjects for political strife. The Democratic Party will not be swept up in futile political conflicts."

He added, "We will devote ourselves entirely to finding and implementing practical measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Democratic Party will also pay closer attention to vulnerable areas in our society revealed by COVID-19, including correctional facilities."

The People Power Party urged President Moon Jae-in to conduct an on-site inspection and apologize.

Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement, "It is regrettable that the president, who is a human rights lawyer by background, has not yet personally inspected the site and apologized to the public, even today," criticizing, "This COVID-19 incident at Dongbu Detention Center is a dereliction of duty toward citizens in vulnerable positions, and the responsible officials must bear civil and criminal legal responsibility for both the 'past' and 'future' situations."

He also pointed out, "The Ministry of Justice wasted the 'golden time' and only presented inadequate measures. Even after infections occurred, masks were not provided, and it took over a month to implement a policy of providing three masks per week. The investigation into inmates who tore the insect screen and waved signs saying 'Please save us' outside the detention center window was conducted at lightning speed."

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Justice, as of 8 a.m. on the same day, 121 inmates at Dongbu Detention Center were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19. With this additional confirmation, the total number of COVID-19 cases in correctional facilities nationwide has risen to 1,108.

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