Ahead of Lunar New Year, 'Big Fire'... Ruling and Opposition Leaders Gather at Guryong Village (Comprehensive)

People Power Party Cancels Yongsan Station New Year's Greeting and Visits Site
Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung and Others Visit Guryong Village After New Year's Greetings

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] On the 20th, the leadership of both ruling and opposition parties visited the fire site in Guryong Village, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. They inspected safety at the site struck by fire just one day before the Lunar New Year holiday.

The People Power Party leadership canceled their plan to greet returning holiday travelers at Seoul Station that morning and instead visited Guryong Village. They first visited the site where a fire that broke out near a church in District 4 of Guryong Village rapidly spread to the surrounding area, causing 500 people to evacuate.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Seong Il-jong, Chairman of the Policy Committee, said at the party’s morning floor meeting, "This morning, a fire broke out in Guryong Village, causing many residents to be alarmed and evacuate," adding, "The President, who is currently in Switzerland, also instructed to make every effort in fire suppression and to mobilize all available means to help the victims have a safe Lunar New Year." Chairman Seong said, "I ask the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to work together and do their best to provide warm consolation to the residents affected by the fire during this cold and difficult time."

The Democratic Party leadership also moved to Guryong Village after finishing Lunar New Year greetings at Yongsan Station that morning. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, stated in a Facebook post, "There is no such thing as overreaction when it comes to protecting the lives of the people," and urged, "The authorities should mobilize all administrative power to quickly suppress the fire and do their utmost to prevent any possible casualties."

He also said, "Please take the lead in clearly identifying the cause of the accident and preparing measures to prevent recurrence," and "Since significant property damage is expected due to the fire in the densely populated residential area, please also make every effort in recovery." He added, "The Democratic Party will also do its utmost to help."

Earlier, the Democratic Party leadership visited Yongsan Station that morning to exchange Lunar New Year greetings. At the party’s highest council meeting earlier that day, Leader Lee said, "Although the holiday is approaching, the hearts of the people are not at ease. Due to soaring prices and interest rate burdens, the economic hardships of the people are deeper than ever," and "I repeatedly urge the swift agreement on the 30 trillion won emergency livelihood project." He continued his focus on livelihood issues by visiting Mangwon Market in Seoul on the 18th and inspecting a military base in Paju the day before.

The Justice Party leadership also headed to Seoul Station that morning. Party Leader Lee Jeong-mi and floor leader Lee Eun-joo, after finishing their homecoming greetings, will head to Gwangju in the afternoon to meet with victims of forced labor under Japanese occupation. Leader Lee said, "The spirit of Gwangju aligns with the Justice Party’s spirit and platform, which is dedicated to workers, the socially vulnerable, and ordinary people," and announced plans to start an innovative party reformation in Gwangju.

People Power Party presidential candidates also continued their efforts to win votes ahead of the holiday. Representative Kim Ki-hyun visited welfare centers and traditional markets in his constituency of Ulsan to offer holiday greetings. Representative Ahn Cheol-soo plans to visit former President Lee Myung-bak (MB) in the afternoon. Afterwards, he is scheduled to visit traditional markets and greet Lunar New Year travelers in his constituency of Seongnam.

Representative Cho Kyung-tae will visit traditional markets and welfare centers in his constituency of Busan. He also plans to greet travelers at Busan Station. Representative Yoon Sang-hyun will continue attending party member meetings while touring the Gyeongnam region, following the previous day’s schedule. Former Representative Na Kyung-won remains in a low-profile mode and is expected to announce her schedule related to running for party leader after the Lunar New Year holiday.

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