[On-site Video] "So Sad" 'Self-Employed Joint Memorial Altar'... Citizens and Politicians Keep Visiting

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, PD Jingeun Yoon] "I feel very deeply troubled."

The Joint Memorial Altar set up by the National Emergency Response Committee for Self-Employed Workers in response to COVID-19 near the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul on the 16th has been continuously visited by mourners day after day.

The altar was established on a sidewalk about 10 pyeong in size in front of Exit 3 of the National Assembly subway station. The police surrounded the altar area and limited the number of visitors paying respects.

On the afternoon of the 17th, citizens who visited the altar placed chrysanthemums in front of a sign that read "Condolences to the Republic of Korea’s Small Business Owners and Self-Employed."

Also, political figures from both ruling and opposition parties, including Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, former lawmaker Hwang Kyo-ahn, Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party, and Shim Sang-jung, lawmaker of the Justice Party, visited the altar to mourn the deceased while criticizing the Moon Jae-in administration’s COVID-19 policies.

Yeoyoung-guk, leader of the Justice Party, said, "I came to the altar to share the pain of self-employed workers suffering under a cruel government that does not even allow a proper funeral." He added, "I don’t know how many more must die before the government responds, but the Justice Party will do its best to prevent further painful deaths."

Shim Sang-jung, a Justice Party presidential primary candidate, raised her voice, saying, "Just the day before yesterday, 22 obituaries of self-employed workers arrived. The main culprits of this situation are the government and political circles. How can they throw away self-employed workers who devoted themselves to control and quarantine for citizens’ health like this?"

Citizens could not hide their sorrow. A citizen in their 20s, Mr. A, said, "A few days ago, I saw an obituary article about a person who ran a beer pub in Daegu for 23 years. After reading about the story of someone who even gave up their monthly rental room while trying hard, I searched and came here. I feel very deeply troubled and sad."

Meanwhile, the joint memorial altar installed by the emergency committee is scheduled to operate until 11 p.m. tonight (the 18th).