"Almost No Church Cluster Infections... Controversial Hwang Kyo-ahn Remark Credits Park Chung-hee"

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, posted on Facebook regarding the novel coronavirus infection ‘COVID-19’ situation, stating that ‘there is almost no cluster infection within churches’ and that the domestic medical system was established during President Park Chung-hee’s era, urging the government not to boast about it.

Hwang Kyo-ahn Facebook Capture

On the 28th, Hwang posted two entries on his Facebook. The first was titled “I will create Jingbirok 2020.”

He began by saying, “Living with the anxiety and crisis of Wuhan coronavirus has become the norm in South Korea, but our citizens’ high civic consciousness is becoming the standard for global civic awareness,” adding, “The government’s lockdown of Daegu was so unnecessary that Daegu citizens voluntarily engaged in self-isolation, and the government’s strengthened social distancing measures have been rendered ineffective as citizens themselves have refrained from gatherings.”

He then mentioned the religious community, pointing out, “It is wrong to slander religion by exploiting public opinion against Shincheonji as if the religious community is not cooperating at all or as if churches are responsible for cluster infections,” and stated, “The problem is Shincheonji. Shincheonji and churches are different. There is almost no cluster infection within churches.”

Hwang, who said, “Those who do not understand the hearts of citizens are only politicians and their zealots who have locked themselves in ideological camps,” criticized, “The incompetent Moon Jae-in administration that shouted ‘China first’ over safety.”

He also added, “They are disparaging and mocking Daegu citizens and using the social anger caused by COVID-19 to create innocent victims.”

When netizens criticized Hwang’s claim that ‘there is almost no cluster infection within churches,’ he later edited the post by removing the word ‘cluster’ and changing it to ‘there is almost no occurrence of infection within churches,’ but the critical public opinion did not change.

Hwang Kyo-ahn Facebook Capture

Two hours later, Hwang posted another entry titled “Thank you to medical workers.”

The post quoted remarks by Kim Jong-in, the United Future Party’s general election committee chairman, regarding the domestic medical system. Kim stated, “The domestic medical system began to develop in earnest with the introduction of health insurance in 1977, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry grew, enabling citizens to receive universal benefits, and these conditions have become the foundation for overcoming the coronavirus.”

Quoting Kim’s words, Hwang praised, “President Park Chung-hee established a social safety net that allowed citizens to live with peace of mind during crises through very innovative health insurance and employment insurance policies.” At the same time, he added, “Despite the government’s initial failure in responding to the Wuhan coronavirus, thanks to the dedication and service of our medical workers, a large-scale spread of COVID-19 was prevented.”

Based on this, he explained, “This is not a point for the Moon Jae-in government to boast about ahead of elections,” and concluded by expressing gratitude to medical workers and related personnel.