"Moon Government Cut Ties," "On the Verge of Explosion"... Opposition Criticizes Government While Conveying Lunar New Year Public Sentiment

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is holding an urgent press conference related to Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su at the National Assembly on the 5th./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 14th, the People Power Party strongly criticized this year's Lunar New Year public sentiment as "cutting ties with the Moon Jae-in administration is the trend" and "on the verge of explosion."

Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in issued a statement that day, saying, "The Lunar New Year sentiment I heard and saw this holiday can be summed up as the trend of 'cutting ties' (severing relations) with the Moon Jae-in administration," and evaluated, "Overall, the public's expectations for the regime are collapsing, and it feels like the bubble of the Moon administration is bursting."

He continued, "In the past four years, the ruling power was supported four times in major elections, but there were many critical voices asking if they have done anything better than previous governments," and criticized, "There was a clear alienation of grassroots public sentiment."

Chairman Kim also conveyed public sentiment regarding the government's real estate policies and polarization caused by COVID-19. He criticized, "Whether in Seoul or provinces, due to the surge in housing prices and the impact of the jeonse (long-term lease) crisis, public alienation caused by the Moon administration's failure in real estate policy is spreading further."

He added, "Many lamented that under this regime, ordinary citizens cannot even dream of becoming wealthy. There were also concerns that our society has entered an ultra-polarization stage beyond mere polarization."

Regarding COVID-19 quarantine measures, he pointed out, "Allowing immediate family gatherings right after Lunar New Year is not logically acceptable," and said, "There were strong voices that the government is turning COVID-19 quarantine into political quarantine."

He then emphasized, "As the chairman of the main opposition party's emergency committee, this Lunar New Year was heavy on my heart in many ways," and promised, "We will continue party reform and steady innovation to gain the public's trust and correct the Moon administration's failures as a responsible alternative ruling party."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Floor Leader Joo Ho-young also criticized on his Facebook that day, saying, "The people are angry at the arrogance and shamelessness of the regime," and that public sentiment toward the government has reached despair.

He said, "During the Lunar New Year holidays, I met with local residents. Public sentiment is on the verge of explosion," and sharply stated, "In four years of the Moon Jae-in administration, South Korea has become a country it has never experienced before."

He then mentioned the controversy over Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo's 'false explanation,' saying, "People in the Moon administration used former Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae and 'deep-rooted corrupt judges' as scapegoats for clearing out deep-rooted evils, but Chief Justice Kim's deference to the ruling party, lies, and political appointments are like the old evils devouring the new evils," and relayed, "I heard people say, 'Don't tell the Chief Justice to resign. Do you think people blink an eye just because this regime says so?'"

He added, "There is a subtle movement flowing beneath the surface of public sentiment: despair and resignation," and said, "There were far more voices saying 'leave it alone' than 'fight the regime with your life.' The people are angry at the regime's arrogance and shamelessness, but I worry they have lost confidence in whether they can stop it."

Finally, Floor Leader Joo said, "Ahead of the Seoul and Busan mayoral (by-)elections, the regime has launched an all-out propaganda campaign. It is truly the relentless determination of the 586 generation," and said, "I am heading to Seoul with the resolve to overcome that and normalize this country."