Democratic Party: "Yoon's remark that 'even the presidential office allows protests' is the height of pettiness"

Park Yong-jin "It is close to expressing a stance of practically neglecting violent abusive protests and even encouraging them"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea on the 7th strongly opposed President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks regarding the controversy over conservative group protests in front of former President Moon Jae-in's residence in Yangsan, saying, "Are you saying that we should tolerate insults and loud disturbances disguised as protests and neglect the suffering of Yangsan residents?"

On the 25th of last month, vehicles from a group opposing former President Moon Jae-in were parked in front of the former president's residence in Pyeongsan Village, Jisan-ri, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Oh-seop stated in a commentary that "President Yoon said today regarding the controversy over conservative group protests in front of former President Moon’s Yangsan residence, ‘Even the presidential office allows protests,’ and ‘It will be handled according to the law.’"

Spokesperson Jo added, "Violent and inhumane harassment is being inflicted on the retired president who wishes to live quietly as a private citizen and on the residents of Pyeongsan Village who have accepted such a president as their neighbor," expressing dismay, "It is puzzling how this could be equated with the political and policy expressions of the people toward the president who is responsible for national governance."

He criticized, "President Yoon’s perception is highly problematic," and pointed out, "Today’s remarks are no different from encouraging the unruly protests in Pyeongsan Village and sending a bad signal to the police who should restrain the insulting protests."

Spokesperson Jo stated, "The conservative group protests in front of the Yangsan residence are violent and inhumane terrorism that destroys others’ lives, and the president’s remarks tolerating this are the height of narrow-mindedness that ignores the suffering of the people," urging, "The president should respond strictly to the violence and terrorism disguised as conservative group protests. Otherwise, the insulting protests by conservative groups in front of the Yangsan residence will be the responsibility of President Yoon Seok-yeol."

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin also criticized via a separate social media post, saying, "It is truly despicable," and pointed out, "It is closer to a statement expressing an intention to neglect and even encourage the factually violent insulting protests." Lawmaker Park said, "Former President Moon is one of the ‘respected and beloved’ citizens by President Yoon," and added, "Former President Moon and the surrounding citizens also have the right to enjoy peace in their private lives." He warned, "President Yoon’s perception revealed this time will be a seed that threatens not only national unity but also the freedom of all members of our Republic of Korea community."