Son Hak-kyu: "COVID-19 escalated to serious stage... 'Election postponement' should be considered if necessary"

On the 3-Party Merger: "Must Not Become Regionalist Parties"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party, stated on the 21st regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, "Above all, it is urgent to elevate the infectious disease crisis alert level from the current caution stage to the highest severity stage and to completely restrict the entry of Chinese nationals," adding, "If necessary, postponing the April 15 general election should also be considered."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Sohn said, "I hope President Moon Jae-in and the government and ruling party will sincerely commit to preventing the spread of the virus from now on."

Sohn also said, "Although I announced that I would resign as party leader effective the 24th, on the other hand, I honestly have strong concerns and regrets about the political sphere rapidly polarizing and reverting to old-fashioned politics with just about 50 days left until the general election."

Sohn added, "The centrist reform unified party must never become a regionalist party," and said, "I will stand together until the end to ensure political structural reform and generational change reform are fully accomplished. I will also do all I can in the constitutional amendment discussions that will inevitably unfold after the general election."