野 "Democratic Party Exploiting Natural Disasters for Elections... 'Giwhaje' Are They Sane?"

People Power Party's Kim Ki-hyun and Lee Yang-su Criticize Democratic Party in Unison

On the third day of the Uljin and Samcheok wildfires, on the 6th, areas in Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, show scorched landscapes blackened by flames amidst thick smoke. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for exploiting natural disasters for election purposes.

Lee Yang-su, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party's election countermeasures headquarters, stated in a commentary on the 6th, "The Democratic Party's behavior of using even natural disasters for elections will be judged by the people through a regime change."

Lee said, "On the 5th, a post appeared on the Democratic Party's online bulletin board asking, 'Is there a possibility of more wildfires in the Gyeongbuk area?' and wishing that the voter turnout of residents in the affected area would decrease due to the wildfires, shocking the public. The post's author said that the wildfire-affected area is 'a place that gives a complete People Power Party landslide vote, so it would be good if more wildfires occurred before the election day without causing damage,' and another author said, 'Gangwon-do is mostly a region with a strong blind support for candidate number 2 anyway, so more wildfires would be beneficial,'" he pointed out.

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, also criticized the Democratic Party for such behavior. Kim said, "No matter how much I think about it, this has really gone too far. It's not even a rain prayer ritual, but the idea of holding a 'fire prayer ritual' to wish for wildfires?is this sane?" He added, "It seems like the idea of some Democratic Party supporters who want to make candidate Lee president, who does not hesitate to lie for election, and it's truly scary and chilling."

Kim emphasized, "With the National Election Commission's voting management being so sloppy and chaotic that public anger is rising, how can they fan the flames of a burning house?" He stressed, "Seeing this kind of behavior makes the reason for regime change even clearer."

The People Power Party also commented on the controversial remarks made by independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang. On the 4th, Yoon posted on Facebook, "The truth that entered me deeply today," saying, "Nature does much greater things than humans!" When criticized for considering voting advantages and disadvantages based on natural disasters, Yoon deleted the problematic post. However, Yoon explained in another post the previous day, "This was posted before the Uljin fire incident," adding, "A local environmental activist filed a complaint requesting a proper environmental impact assessment because endangered species were threatened by the construction of solar power plants. While discussing with environmental researchers, an expert gave the message that 'Nature does much greater things than humans but we live without realizing it,' which I found meaningful and recorded. I want to clarify that this message had nothing to do with the election."

Lee Yang-su also criticized candidate Lee's actions. He said, "When the wildfire broke out on the 4th, Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, immediately visited the Uljin disaster relief shelter after finishing his campaign schedule. Meanwhile, candidate Lee was leisurely posting greetings on a women's community site, and when public opinion worsened, he committed an outrageous act by visiting the Uljin shelter at 4 a.m. and waking up the exhausted evacuees who were asleep," raising his voice in criticism.