Criticism by Moon on Conservative Group Rally in Front of Private Residence... Lee Jun-seok Also Expresses Concern

Lee "Jeon Jang-yeon has conveyed its meaning while causing inconvenience to an unspecified majority"
"The message effect is not proportional to the volume of the megaphone or the discomfort experienced by the public"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, speaking at the 'People Power Party 8th Nationwide Local Elections Gyeongnam Election Committee Launch Ceremony and Meeting.' Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, expressed concern by comparing the rallies taking place around former President Moon Jae-in's residence to the protests by the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon).

On the 15th, Lee said on Facebook, "The freedom to express political opinions around President Moon Jae-in's residence must be guaranteed," but added, "However, some rallies with different purposes are worrisome. I have criticized Jeonjangyeon's protest methods that cause inconvenience to an unspecified majority while trying to enforce their will."

He continued, "The effectiveness of a message does not necessarily correlate with the volume of loudspeakers or the level of inconvenience caused to nearby residents," and urged, "It would be better to deliver messages to former President Moon Jae-in in a moderate and logical manner."

Finally, he said, "The era of President Moon Jae-in has passed. Now is the era themed on President Yoon Seok-yeol and new hope," and added, "We will make efforts at the party level so that those who have been angry for five years can now join the path of hope."

Earlier that day, former President Moon expressed apologies to the residents of Pyeongsan Village who have been suffering from the noise of the rallies.

On Facebook, Moon wrote, "I attended mass at Deokgye Catholic Church in Yangsan. On the way back, I had a bowl of cold noodles for lunch at Wonsan Myeonok, an old cold noodle restaurant in Yangsan." He criticized, "Upon returning home, the noise from loudspeakers and verbal abuse are disturbing the peace and freedom of the small rural village of Banjiseong."

According to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency on the 12th, residents of Pyeongsan Village near former President Moon's residence submitted a petition to the police after suffering from noise caused by rallies held by conservative groups.