Jogukdang: "No One Will See the Secretly Left Yoon Congratulatory Flowers as Cooperation"

On the 1st, the Joguk Innovation Party directly refuted the People Power Party's criticism calling their refusal to accept the 'congratulatory orchid' sent by President Yoon Seok-yeol on the opening of the 22nd National Assembly as an 'act of rejecting cooperation' and 'petty politics.'

Representative Jo Guk and other members of the Jo Guk Innovation Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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Kim Bohyeop, the chief spokesperson, said in a statement that day, "It seems the People Power Party does not understand the meaning of the word 'cooperation.' Cooperation literally means 'joining forces to do politics for the people,'" adding, "No one would see the act of secretly placing an orchid pot in front of a lawmaker's office as cooperation."

He pointed out, "Has anyone from the Yongsan Presidential Office or the ruling People Power Party ever proposed a meeting or dialogue to the Joguk Innovation Party?" and "Even though it has been almost three months since the party was founded, the presidential office's chief political secretary has not even shown up."

Chief spokesperson Kim claimed, "No one demonstrates petty politics better than President Yoon, the 'King of Veto,' who frequently exercises veto power for himself and his family." He sarcastically added, "I heard that the green onions were missing from the egg roll and kimchi stew on the menu for the (press corps invitation) 'dinner with the president.' That kind of thing is a symbol of 'pettiness' and 'cowardice.'"

Meanwhile, Cheon Haram, floor leader of the Reform Innovation Party, posted on his social media (SNS) Facebook account that day criticizing some opposition lawmakers, including those from the Joguk Innovation Party, for refusing to accept the orchid, calling it "a failure to distinguish between public and private matters at the minimum and a disregard for mutual respect between constitutional institutions."

He said, "Some people are protesting, saying 'Why water the orchid if you are going to throw it away?'" and questioned, "Public and private matters are separate. Putting yourself in the other’s shoes, do you think President Yoon sent the orchid because he wanted to send it to Representative Jo?"

He continued, "If it were sent personally, it would not have been sent to several opposition lawmakers such as former Representative Lee Jun-seok and Representative Jo," emphasizing, "As the head of the executive branch and a constitutional institution, the president sent it 'institution to institution' to members of the legislature, who are also constitutional institutions."

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