Shin Won-sik: "No Exhibition Preparation Training for 2 Years... Using COVID-19 as an Excuse"

Shin Won-sik, Member of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Shin Won-sik, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the Moon Jae-in administration for not conducting large-scale mobile exercises under the pretext of COVID-19.

On the afternoon of the 14th, during a government questioning session held at the National Assembly, Rep. Shin addressed Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, saying, "The Emergency State Council for national security during wartime is the core of the Eulji Exercise," and asked, "You admitted that the meeting was not held this year, but do you know since when it has not been held?"

He continued, "It has not been held for two years since May 2019," adding, "They used COVID-19 as an excuse, but the regular State Council meetings are held weekly. Up to September 7 this year, there have been 39 meetings, and even temporary State Council meetings were held."

He then pointed out, "When wearing suits and holding regular State Council meetings, COVID-19 does not suddenly attack the meeting room, so does COVID-19 automatically infect people when wearing civil defense uniforms and performing wartime duties?"

He also highlighted that very few public officials are familiar with the necessary preparations for wartime situations. He said, "The government has about 160 major items to address in wartime," and questioned, "But hardly anyone is familiar with wartime preparations. Has the Prime Minister’s Office conducted any inspections?"

Rep. Shin urged Prime Minister Kim to hold the Emergency State Council meetings and implement the Chungmu Plan. He said, "This year, it only takes one day to conduct the Wartime National Security Council and Emergency State Council exercises with the President present, so please make sure to do it," and added, "Please ensure that each minister familiarizes themselves with the Chungmu Plan to protect the lives and property of the people during wartime, and check that they can dedicate one or two hours a day to this."

Finally, he emphasized, "The Moon administration abolished the ROK-US combined exercises. They do not conduct counterattack exercises that deter war," and stressed, "They do not conduct large-scale mobile exercises under the pretext of COVID-19."

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