Opposition Lawmaker 'On Business Trip During Floods'... Ruling Party Says, "'Yoon, Why Aren't You Coming?' Criticized Then"

Lawmakers Park Jung, Yoon Joon-byeong, and Choi Ki-sang Return Early
Ruling Party: "Hypocrisy Beyond Belief"

Democratic Party lawmakers who sparked controversy by going on overseas business trips amid the flood disaster returned home early on the morning of the 25th. They apologized, saying, "Our conduct was not considerate of the citizens affected by the flood damage."

Earlier, Democratic Party lawmakers Park Byeong-seok, Park Jeong, Yoon Jun-byeong, and Choi Gi-sang departed on a 5-night, 6-day trip to Vietnam and Laos on the 23rd to participate in the National Assembly Peace and Diplomacy Forum activities.

However, criticism arose within the ruling party that overseas trips during the flood period were inappropriate, and the Democratic Party floor leadership conveyed the same opinion to the lawmakers on the overseas trip. In particular, criticism was strong because Park Jeong is the chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee, which should discuss flood countermeasures.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Park Jeong (from left), Choi Gisang, and Yoon Junbyung, who had left for Vietnam for diplomatic schedules, are returning early through Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Eventually, three lawmakers?Park Jeong, Choi Gi-sang, and Yoon Jun-byeong?returned early, while only Park Byeong-seok decided to complete official schedules with the counterpart country's parliamentary speaker before returning.

At Incheon Airport that day, Lawmaker Park Jeong met with reporters and bowed his head, saying, "There are citizens suffering from the flood, and we decided this was a necessary diplomatic activity, but if it was inappropriate in the eyes of the people, I sincerely apologize."

Lawmaker Yoon Jun-byeong also posted on Facebook, stating, "We judged that respecting the feelings of the people is of utmost importance, so we decided to return early and have done so," and added, "I am sorry for not being more considerate of the feelings of the citizens suffering from this flood."

Earlier, Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung, affiliated with the Democratic Party, also sparked controversy by departing on a European business trip on the 22nd. Mayor Kang and the Gwangju delegation set out to promote the hosting of the 2025 Gwangju World Archery Championships. The itinerary includes visiting six cities in four European countries over 10 nights and 12 days until the 2nd of next month.

On the 22nd, when Mayor Kang departed, heavy rain was forecasted in Gwangju. On the 24th, heavy rain warnings were issued across Gwangju and Jeonnam. Although no casualties occurred, numerous reports of flood damage such as building inundations and house collapses were filed in the Gwangju area that day.

The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party for hypocrisy. Hwang Gyu-hwan, the chief deputy spokesperson, issued a statement saying, "The Democratic Party, which has poured out political strife accusing the president of not returning early despite managing both diplomatic schedules and flood damage, showed hypocrisy by sending the chairman of the relevant standing committee for flood-related bills to Vietnam."

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