Ruling and Opposition Parties Engulfed in 'Main Enemy Controversy'... Kim Yong-tae Says "Insult to Soldiers at Fallen Pilot's Funeral"

Yoon "The Main Enemy is North Korea" Post Met with Ruling Party Spokesperson's Response "The Main Enemy is the Cadres"
Kim Yong-tae "Did This Reflect Candidate Lee Jae-myung's Usual Thoughts? Very Unpleasant"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, posted on Facebook on the 14th / Photo by Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The ruling and opposition parties have been embroiled in an unexpected 'main enemy controversy.' When Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, posted a brief message on his Facebook stating "The main enemy is North Korea," Ha Heon-gi, the chief deputy spokesperson of the Democratic Party's election committee, responded by saying "The main enemy is the officers." In response, Kim Yong-tae, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, strongly criticized the remark as an "insult to soldiers."

On the 14th, Candidate Yoon posted on Facebook, "The main enemy is North Korea." According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea launched two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles eastward from inland Pyongan Province on the same day. This missile launch marks the third such provocation by North Korea this year, following launches on the 5th and 11th. Yoon's post appears to be aimed at these provocations by North Korea.

After attending the People Power Party's Gyeongnam election committee's victory resolution rally on the same day, Yoon told reporters, "(North Korea's missile launches) are not recent events but seem intended to influence the election," adding, "Our security is under serious threat, and it is unacceptable to respond lukewarmly by declaring an end to the war."

However, the ruling party immediately pushed back against Yoon's statement. Spokesperson Ha Hyun-gi responded with a post saying, "The main enemy is the officers," countering Yoon's claim.

Senior Deputy Spokesperson Ha Hyun-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea's Election Countermeasures Committee responded to Candidate Yoon's post by saying, "The main enemy is the executives." / Photo by Facebook Capture

Additionally, Spokesperson Ha used hashtags saying, "Every soldier knows this. From the perspective of 600,000 soldiers," and added, "I served in the 201st Special Forces Brigade, discharged as a sergeant, experienced Yeonpyeong Island and the Cheonan incident while serving in the special forces. I bore the burden, but the credit went elsewhere," sharply criticizing the situation.

On the same day, Democratic Party lawmaker Ki Dong-min also targeted Candidate Yoon in a Facebook post, saying, "Someone who wants to become president writes that the main enemy is North Korea and talks about preemptive strikes so comfortably," and added, "You would be perfect as a far-right YouTuber rather than president."

Meanwhile, Supreme Council member Kim strongly criticized Spokesperson Ha, saying that the remarks "insult soldiers."

He said, "Ha Heon-gi, the chief deputy spokesperson, said 'The main enemy is the officers.' Does this represent Candidate Lee Jae-myung's usual thoughts? It is very uncomfortable," and pointed out, "Today was even the funeral of the late Major Shim Jeong-min, who did not let go of the controls until the end to minimize harm to the people."

The funeral ceremony for the late Major Shim Jeong-min (29, Air Force Academy Class 64, posthumous rank), who died in the crash of an Air Force F-5E fighter jet, is being held on the morning of the 14th at the Air Force 10th Fighter Wing in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The ceremony is conducted as a unit funeral with the attendance of the deceased's family, classmates, fellow pilots, and unit personnel. / Photo by Yonhap News

Major Shim died in an Air Force F-5E fighter jet crash during a mission on the 11th. His funeral was held on the 14th at the 10th Fighter Wing in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

Regarding this, Supreme Council member Kim said, "Spokesperson Ha's remarks insult all soldiers who loyally risk their lives to protect the nation's peace and the lives of its people," and demanded, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung should apologize directly."

He continued, "I am also a former ROTC officer, but whether officer, non-commissioned officer, or soldier, all military personnel exist to protect the lives and safety of the people," and criticized, "Instead of dividing the people by saying the main enemy is the officers, please say something about North Korea, which continues to threaten national security by launching ballistic missiles."