Joo Ho-young "Restore Shuttle Diplomacy" vs Lee Jae-myung "Disastrous Collusion" (Summary)

Contrasting Evaluations of Korea-Japan Summit by Ruling and Opposition Parties
Ruling Party: "A Decision for the Future... Democratic Party Stirs Anti-Japan Sentiment with 'Death Song'"
Opposition: "Fallen to Japan's Lackey... Yoon Is Selling Out the Country as a Salesman"

On the 17th, the ruling and opposition parties gave completely opposite evaluations of the results of the Korea-Japan summit. The People Power Party highly evaluated the meeting, focusing on expectations for improved relations with Japan, such as the restoration of shuttle diplomacy, while the Democratic Party criticized it as a "nationally ruinous collusion" due to the lack of Japan's responsive measures regarding the third-party compensation plan for forced labor.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party's policy meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 17th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the same day, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the morning floor meeting, "Both Korea and Japan recognized that they should cooperate as partners in security, economy, and global agendas, and agreed to restore shuttle diplomacy," adding, "The walls of distrust and communication barriers built between the two countries have begun to collapse."

Floor leader Joo focused on achievements in the security sector, such as the full normalization of GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement), as well as the lifting of Japan's export restrictions and the restoration of the whitelist (preferred export control countries).

He expressed hope that "the normalization of Korea-Japan relations will bring new opportunities and vitality to our economy, which is facing a complex crisis."

Regarding the Democratic Party, which has been consistently downplaying the Korea-Japan summit, he said, "Even when the Democratic Party was in power, they did nothing but incite anti-Japanese sentiment, and now that they are in opposition, they are leading the incitement of anti-Japanese sentiment," emphasizing, "History will properly evaluate President Yoon's decision, which was made for the people and the future."

After the meeting, Floor leader Joo told reporters, "The Democratic Party always sings the 'Death Song' and stirs up anti-Japanese sentiment," adding, "Considering the future of both countries and the overall international situation, whether President Yoon's decision was right will be judged by history over time, and the day is not far when he will be evaluated as having made a proper and good decision."

On the other hand, the Democratic Party criticized the Korea-Japan summit as "humiliating diplomacy" during the morning meeting, following their statement the previous day.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, fiercely criticized at the morning Supreme Council meeting, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration has ultimately chosen the path of becoming Japan's henchman," calling it "the most shameful and tragic moment in our diplomatic history."

Lee said, "There was no apology or reflection from Japan on the biggest issue, the forced labor compensation problem, and Japan's responsive measures, which our government had promised, were not even mentioned," adding, "It was a truly tragic scene like a 'surrender ceremony,' offering tribute to Japan and begging for reconciliation."

He also criticized the fact that the two leaders continued their meeting at an omelet rice restaurant for a second round after dinner, saying, "The public's lament that 'a bowl of omelet rice exchanged all of the nation's pride, victims' human rights, and historical justice' is not wrong." He mocked President Yoon's self-proclaimed title as "Korea's No. 1 salesman," saying, "The criticism that Korea's salesman ultimately sold out the country is not wrong at all."

Lee emphasized, "Beyond the pro-Japan controversy, it has reached the point of a 'worship-Japan controversy,' and the Democratic Party will resolutely fight against this nationally ruinous collusion that sacrifices victims and reduces Korea to Japan's henchman."

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