Democratic Floor Leader Accuses Opposition of Sowing Division

Han Byung-do, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the main opposition People Power Party after its floor leader Chung Jom-sig used a parliamentary address to attack the government and the ruling party, saying the opposition "ultimately pushed away the hand we extended, just one day after the Democratic Party proposed forward-looking dialogue and cooperation."

Han made the remarks on the 9th at a party leadership meeting held at the North Jeolla Provincial Government office, saying the People Power Party "is continuing a politics of division and hatred as the regular parliamentary session begins."

He also condemned Chung for using harsh expressions such as "Jaemdemic," a coinage combining President Lee Jae-myung's name with "pandemic," and "an era of secret burial" in criticizing the president. "He poured out forced coinages carrying derogatory intent toward a president who is on a state visit to France, and committed a diplomatic discourtesy by dragging in the leaders of other countries as well," Han said. In the same address, Chung also compared President Lee to Adolf Hitler of Germany, former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Han noted that gross domestic product posted its strongest growth rate in 47 years and that a recovery in domestic demand is now supporting the rebound in exports. "Straining to look away even from figures like these while claiming the economy is in ruins is not criticism but agitation to stoke public anxiety," he said. He added that the opposition "still calls the future response fund a slush fund. No matter how many times we correct the record and explain that it is a fiscal reservoir, it falls on deaf ears."

"Interpellation of the government begins today. This is not a stage for damaging the government with false agitation and irresponsible attacks, or for partisan strife," Han said, urging the opposition to "fulfill the responsibilities of the largest opposition party rather than engage in political infighting."

Turning to development in North Jeolla Province, Han said the party is "making strenuous efforts to live up to residents' expectations and to make North Jeolla's pulse beat again," pledging to "develop North Jeolla into a growth axis for the Republic of Korea." He said next year's national budget allocation for the province is 776.4 billion won higher than the government proposal submitted last year and will grow further during parliamentary review. "We will dramatically accelerate the pace of Hyundai Motor's investment commitments and do everything possible to secure designation of a specialized cluster for semiconductor materials, parts and equipment," he said. "We will also step up efforts to nurture new industries such as secondary batteries that will carry North Jeolla's next 100 years."