People Power Party on Minnochoong Rally "Is This Jeon Tae-il Spirit... Severe Punishment Regardless of Reason Needed" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Choi Seung-jae, a member of the People Power Party, pointed to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minnochoong) forcibly holding rallies as the recent cause of the surge in COVID-19 cases, questioning, "Is forcibly holding rallies really a proper action?" Spokesperson Kim Ye-ryeong also urged the government, saying, "They must be severely punished regardless of the reason."

At the party floor meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th, Rep. Choi said, "Social distancing has now been raised to level 2, but is forcibly holding rallies really a proper action?"

Minnochoong has reported holding rallies at 23 locations around Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, until the 9th. Although each rally has fewer than 10 participants, the total exceeds 1,000 people.

Rep. Choi criticized, "Not long ago, Chief Secretary to the Blue House Noh Young-min called the August 15 rally a 'murderer,' so I am curious what words will be used for Minnochoong officials forcibly holding rallies today," adding, "The acting mayor of Seoul still claims that the August 15 Liberation Day rally is related to the spread of COVID-19."

He pointed out, "I wonder which country's citizens the Minnochoong officials really are," and added, "No matter how just the fight is, if it is unavoidable, postponing it is the right thing to do. I cannot help but ask again if this is the spirit of martyr Jeon Tae-il that they claim."

Spokesperson Kim said in a verbal statement, "Right now in Yeouido, 1,000 members of Minnochoong and its affiliated unions are forcibly holding rallies, and there is an unbelievable scene where Minnochoong union members are being arrested for assaulting the police," adding, "Especially in front of the National Assembly, where the Seoul city government has completely banned rallies since February this year for quarantine purposes, Minnochoong forcibly held illegal rallies solely for their own interests, which cannot be tolerated for any reason."

He criticized, "Even though Minnochoong has a history of violent acts such as breaking the National Assembly wall last year, which led to the arrest of former chairman Kim Myung-hwan, they responded violently to public authority again today," and said, "They must be severely punished regardless of the reason."

Spokesperson Kim also criticized the Moon Jae-in administration, saying, "It is only 'strict response' in words, but infinitely passive, so it is criticized beyond misunderstanding as 'double standards quarantine' and 'divisive quarantine,'" and added, "The Moon Jae-in administration should enforce the law fairly to prove that 'living public authority' does not apply only to 'your side' regarding Minnochoong's rallies that endanger the safety of the people."

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae also pointed out on Facebook, "President Moon strongly criticized the conservative rally on National Foundation Day as an 'antisocial criminal act,' so why is he silent about the Minnochoong rally?" and said, "We need an answer whether COVID-19 spreads selectively. What a comedic quarantine this is."