The Democratic Party on Opposition's Japan Visit: "International Embarrassment, Failed Diplomacy, and Being Treated Like Cold Rice"

Criticism for Not Meeting Japanese Political Figures
Pointing Out Larger Korean Text on the Placard

The People Power Party raised criticism on the 13th, calling the ‘National Assembly Members’ Group to Prevent Fukushima Nuclear Contaminated Water Ocean Discharge,’ composed of 10 opposition party lawmakers, a ‘diplomatic disaster.’ At the same time, they reiterated the matter discussed between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio regarding the contaminated water discharge.

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, “This delegation to Japan lowered themselves to street protesters,” and added, “This is not productive diplomacy but a diplomatic disaster that brings international embarrassment.”

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Yoon floor leader continued, “The lawmakers from the ruling party of South Korea went to Japan but could not even meet mainstream political figures and ended up being isolated and sidelined,” and pointed out, “It was wrong from the start to go to Japan under a flawed pretext, but if they were going anyway, they should have at least created an opportunity to meet responsible or mainstream Japanese figures to convey their intentions.”

He also said, “The purpose seemed to be a domestic political show to incite anti-Japanese sentiment rather than to prevent the contaminated water discharge,” and criticized, “It looks like they just wanted to take promotional photos for the upcoming general election by appealing to extreme supporters who are enthusiastic about anti-Japanese sentiment and anti-Japanese sales.”

Cho Su-jin, a Supreme Council member, explained, “The lawmakers who went on the Japan protest trip departed on Japanese flights, which is a double standard considering their strong anti-Japanese stance,” and added, “Their first schedule in Japan was a protest at the Prime Minister’s residence, but the Prime Minister was not in Japan as he had left to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.”

She further criticized, “The slogans on the placards they carried had more and larger Korean text. I don’t understand why they went all the way to Japan,” and said, “They only met minor parties holding 3 out of 713 seats in the Japanese House of Representatives and House of Councillors. It can only be said that they were ignored.”

The People Power Party emphasized once again the matters discussed between President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida at the Korea-Japan summit held on the 12th (local time) in Vilnius, Lithuania. Regarding the Fukushima contaminated water discharge issue, President Yoon said, “The health and safety of the people must be the top priority,” and requested, “Please share real-time monitoring information with us to ensure that the entire discharge process is carried out as planned, and allow our experts to participate in the inspection process.”

In response, Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member, said, “President Yoon has taken practical measures to alleviate concerns about the Fukushima contaminated water discharge by prioritizing the health and safety of our people,” and added, “If the Democratic Party is a political party, it should now stop political agitation and turn toward the path of public livelihood.”

After the Supreme Council meeting, when Yoon floor leader was asked by reporters about the question, “Although President Yoon requested Korean experts’ participation in the contaminated water discharge inspection process, there was no official response from Prime Minister Kishida,” he replied, “I think it was effectively approved,” and added, “Follow-up measures will be discussed through diplomatic procedures by the relevant ministries, and I believe the specific conclusion will be made accordingly.”

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