[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Regarding public sentiment in the April 7 by-elections, voices calling for the entire cabinet to resign emerged strongly from the opposition party. There were also calls for the formation of a national unity cabinet that is not limited to any specific party or faction.
On the 8th, Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized President Moon Jae-in's message on the by-election results, saying, "Are you planning to carry out a ‘complete overhaul’ of state affairs that have ruined the country through incompetence and corruption, and caused the people to shed tears of blood with hypocritical double standards, and a ‘total cabinet resignation’? The stern warning from the people to stop your arrogant rampage is not something to be dismissed with vague expressions like ‘heavy responsibility’ and ‘seriousness’ or a formal apology that you have repeatedly used," she said.
Earlier, Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, stated regarding the by-elections, "President Moon has solemnly accepted the people's reprimand related to the by-elections and has pledged to approach state affairs with a more humble attitude and heavier sense of responsibility," adding, "We will devote ourselves to realizing the people's urgent demands such as overcoming COVID-19, economic recovery, stabilizing livelihoods, and eradicating real estate corruption."
In response, spokesperson Kim said, "The Moon Jae-in administration has been judged," and criticized, "Without the ‘reflection and introspection’ and the image of a ‘responsible government’ that did not exist even once in the past four years, there will be no day in the future when you gain the people's hearts."
On the same day, Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, made similar remarks. Through social media, Kim said, "I sincerely offer advice to the Blue House and the ruling party," and urged, "Please properly listen to the public sentiment now and face the torch raised by the angry people." He added, "Please acknowledge the Moon Jae-in administration's total policy failures in areas such as the livelihood economy, real estate, COVID-19 response, low birthrate, labor-management relations, education, and judicial justice, and strive for a ‘policy paradigm shift’ with painful self-reflection," and said, "It is also necessary to form a ‘unified national unity cabinet’ capable of realizing this."
He continued, "Even the ruling party with a huge 180-seat majority must now completely transform itself to escape from being a ‘Yeouido branch office’ and a ‘rubber stamp’ and fulfill the original role of lawmakers to check and balance the government," adding, "Regardless of whether the ruling or opposition party wins, it is time to think together for politics where the Republic of Korea and its people win."
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