Taeyoungho: "Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook, a Sign of Response"... Ruling Party Also Says "That's Not Right"

Party Leadership "Cannot Confirm Statement"
Negative Stance on Diplomatic Blue House Report Itself
Heo Eun-a "Expects Strict Party Measures"

With the content stating that "Dokdo is Japan's inherent territory" included in Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook, Tae Young-ho, a Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, evaluated it as "a sign of Japan's response," causing the party to be embroiled in controversy once again. Although the party leadership clearly drew a line with a negative stance on the Diplomatic Bluebook, voices within the party are calling for "strict measures" against Supreme Council Member Tae.

The issue began with a Facebook post by Supreme Council Member Tae Young-ho on the 13th. In a post titled "Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook Release, a Sign of Japan's Response to a Future-Oriented Korea-Japan Relationship," Tae wrote, "The recently released Japan 'Diplomatic Bluebook 2023' reflects the Kishida Cabinet's will for a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship," adding, "It can be read as a sign that Japan will actively continue the flow of improving Korea-Japan relations initiated by President Yoon Suk-yeol."

Earlier, in the Diplomatic Bluebook announced by Japan on the 11th, claims such as "Takeshima (Dokdo) is clearly Japan's inherent territory" and "(South Korea) continues its illegal occupation of Takeshima" were included. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately called for a retraction through a spokesperson's statement.

As the controversy arose, Supreme Council Member Tae left a Facebook message that morning stating, "Dokdo is clearly our land." He then rebutted through a lengthy post, saying, "Do not view it maliciously; read the original text properly."

Taeyoungho, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 6th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He stated, "(The issue with evaluating the Diplomatic Bluebook) is whether to see Japan as an eternal enemy or as a ‘cooperative partner’ moving toward the future," adding, "I want to see Japan as a ‘cooperative partner’ with whom we must move forward into the future. From the perspective of a cooperative partner looking at Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook, we should focus on what has changed compared to previous Bluebooks," maintaining his stance.

The People Power Party leadership said they had not checked Supreme Council Member Tae's post but gave a negative evaluation of the Japanese Diplomatic Bluebook itself. Party leader Kim Ki-hyun, after visiting the Park Chung-hee Memorial Foundation that morning, told reporters, "It is obviously unacceptable for the Japanese Diplomatic Bluebook to insist that Dokdo is their land," adding, "There is a deep regret that there must be sincere reflection on past history."

Yoo Sang-bum, the party's chief spokesperson, said in a KBS radio interview that morning regarding Supreme Council Member Tae's remarks, "This is the first time I am hearing about it, so I have not grasped the content," but added, "I think there could be various grounds for criticism."

Within the party, voices calling for strict measures emerged. Heo Eun-ah, a member of the People Power Party, posted on Facebook the previous day with an article containing Supreme Council Member Tae's remarks, pointing out, "At this level, it sounds like a declaration of turning away from the people." She continued, "Our government officially protested against the Japanese Diplomatic Bluebook stating that Dokdo is Japanese territory, and when Japan refused to accept this, do you really not know how much our people were outraged?" and wrote, "I expect strict measures from the party."

Previously, Supreme Council Member Tae caused controversy during the preparation for the March 8 party convention by visiting Jeju and making claims implying that the April 3 Incident was triggered under the direction of North Korea's Kim Il-sung. As public opinion worsened in Jeju, a People Power Party member of the Jeju Provincial Council apologized on his behalf. Kim Hwang-guk, the vice-chairman of the Jeju Provincial Council from the People Power Party, stated on the 11th, "Before the inquiry, as a member and party member of the People Power Party, I sincerely apologize to the victims of the April 3 Incident and the residents of Jeju for the inappropriate remarks and actions by some People Power Party lawmakers and organizations related to April 3." Supreme Council Member Kim Jae-won also faced heavy criticism inside and outside the party for remarks such as opposing the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the constitution, calling Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon the unifier of the right wing, and describing April 3 as a low-level memorial day. Kim said on the 4th, "I will suspend all public activities for the time being," and it was reported that he visited the May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju that day to pay respects.

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