Park: "Oh Se-hoon must apologize to Yongsan disaster victims and resign"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, faced criticism after making remarks that blamed the victims of the Yongsan Tragedy in 2009 for the incident.

On the 31st, Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate’s camp, stated in a commentary, "Candidate Oh shamelessly claims that 'the tenants' violent resistance is the essence' of the Yongsan Tragedy that occurred during his tenure as mayor," adding, "We cannot help but be appalled by this arrogant behavior without any reflection."

Spokesperson Lee Dong-joo said, "The Yongsan Tragedy was a massive disaster caused by state violence that ignored the lives of ordinary people and pushed unilateral development," and added, "We demand an immediate apology for the reckless remarks that reopen the wounds of the victims and their families, and we hope he resigns from his candidacy."

On the same day, during the Kwanhun Debate, Candidate Oh stated, "The Yongsan Tragedy involved tenants in the redevelopment area, supported by a civic group called Jeoncheollyeon (National Federation of Demolished Tenants), who engaged in very violent resistance," and continued, "They resisted by shooting steel balls or stones and occupied buildings, and the tragedy occurred when the police entered. Therefore, this incident happened due to police intervention to suppress excessive and careless violent acts." However, Oh also said, "It is clear that there is responsibility for the failure to guarantee tenants' rights to the fullest and the resulting conflicts and struggles," and added, "I have apologized several times."

In response, the Democratic Party rebutted, "The Yongsan Tragedy was a tragedy created by the Seoul Metropolitan Government forcibly evicting tenants in the cold winter and the police suppressing the tenants' resistance for survival with force."

Hong Jung-min, spokesperson for the Central Election Committee, criticized, "Are the evicted tenants not Seoul citizens or even human beings to Candidate Oh?" and said, "We are appalled by Candidate Oh’s remarks, which show no human rights sensitivity or sympathy for the vulnerable."

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