Lee Jae-myung: "Yoon's Political Show Against the Backdrop of Desperate People"

Yoon Meets Han at Seocheon Market to 'Resolve Conflict'
Lee: "Political Show at Fire Scene, No Excuse"
Hong Ik-pyo: "Proper Investigation of Kim Gun-hee's Luxury Bag"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the so-called "dramatic meeting" between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, at the Chungnam Seocheon Specialty Market where a large fire occurred, saying, "No matter how much they try to justify it, it cannot be excused that they put on a kind of political show against the backdrop of desperate citizens."

On the morning of the 24th at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee said, "Yesterday (the 23rd), the scene at Seocheon Market was truly impressive," and added, "It reminded me of the past ruling party’s flood relief activities where they laughed saying, 'If it rains more, the photos will come out better.'" He then emphasized, "The owners of this country are the people, and politics exists to protect the lives and property of our citizens."

Lee Jae-myung, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea Photo by Yonhap News

He stated, "This will probably be an event recorded in history," and claimed, "The president’s unprecedented interference in party affairs, the political intervention by high-ranking officials violating the National Public Service Act, breaches of political neutrality obligations, and violations of the Public Official Election Act were all revealed, with various problems intertwined." He added, "It clearly showed whether they consider the people as the owners of this country or see their positions as rulers."

He also linked criticism of President Yoon to the controversy over First Lady Kim Geon-hee’s receipt of luxury bags. Lee said, "The public’s expectations are not just for an apology to end the 'reconciliation show,' but for the constitutional principle that all citizens are equal before the law to be upheld," and reiterated, "If someone accepted bribes, they should be investigated, and if they committed a crime, they should be investigated and receive corresponding punishment."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party who visited the Seocheon Market fire site, ordered measures such as ▲provision of temporary spaces for Lunar New Year sales ▲support funds for business stabilization ▲deferment of principal and interest repayment of COVID-19 disaster relief funds ▲review of designation as a special disaster area, and emphasized, "The Democratic Party will spare no cooperation." He then expressed deep regret, saying, "It is very regrettable if the disaster site was used as a reconciliation scene for their power struggle and as a decoration for it," and urged, "If this is not merely a political show, the government should respond promptly to the proposed measures."

Hong also recalled the "First Lady risk" that triggered the conflict between President Yoon and Chairman Han, pointing out, "The issue regarding First Lady Kim Geon-hee’s luxury bags is not something that can be resolved with an apology." He continued, "An apology is basic, but this issue should be clearly investigated for illegality, and if there is wrongdoing, punishment should follow as fairness and common sense dictate," and said, "If the conflict and reconciliation process between President Yoon and Chairman Han is not a mere staged agreement, I ask Han Dong-hoon to act as a true ruling party emergency committee chairman who meets the public’s expectations, instead of giving instructions via KakaoTalk."

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