United Future Party: "Moon Jae-in must dismiss 'controversial' Park Neung-hoo and apologize to the public"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Seong Il-jong, floor spokesperson of the United Future Party, on the 27th criticized Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo's remarks at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) as "absurd remarks" and urged President Moon Jae-in to dismiss Minister Park.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Press Center that day, Spokesperson Seong stated, "Yesterday at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Park said that the biggest cause of the COVID-19 outbreak was Koreans returning from China, making an unprecedented absurd remark treating the people like viruses."

Spokesperson Seong also pointed out that Minister Park's response to Rep. Jeong Jeom-sik's question at the committee the previous day, saying, "From a medical perspective, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases is a more authoritative group of experts than the Korean Medical Association," and "The Infectious Diseases Society did not recommend a ban on entry from all over China," was perjury.

He noted that the government recommendation announced by the Infectious Diseases Society on the 2nd included the content that "Restricting entry only from Hubei Province is insufficient. Control of entry from high-risk countries is necessary until the epidemic in neighboring countries is controlled."

Spokesperson Seong said, "You can find out just by searching news articles on portal sites," and criticized, "Who are these lies for when a cabinet member appears before the National Assembly and answers differently from the facts?"

He added, "Is Minister Park a minister of China?" and urged, "President Moon should dismiss Minister Park and apologize to the frightened people. Stop being stubborn and completely ban the entry of foreigners coming from China."