Joo Ho-young: "Escaping the restraining injunction that oppressed the party... Defector fishermen need to know if Moon will meet them"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is answering questions from the press after visiting to support the audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, evaluated the dismissal of former leader Lee Jun-seok's injunction request yesterday by saying, "We have shaken off the injunction that was weighing down our party."

At the National Assembly audit countermeasures meeting held on the morning of the 7th, Floor Leader Joo said, "Let's renew our determination and work hard so that the people can trust and have confidence in the People Power Party."

Regarding the 'North Korean fisherman repatriation incident,' in response to reports yesterday that former Blue House National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong deleted expressions related to the North Korean fishermen's intention to defect, he said, "If true, it should be seen as an intentional cover-up attempt. It is a criminal act," and emphasized, "It is necessary for the public to clearly know whether it was a unilateral decision by former Chief Chung or if President Moon Jae-in was informed."

He also positively evaluated the response during the audit. He said, "Although it is still too early to conduct a mid-term evaluation, it seems our lawmakers are leading the policy audit by pointing out various problems of the previous administration’s failed policies such as the nuclear phase-out, issues with renewable energy projects, corruption in recruitment at Eastar Jet, and First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s Taj Mahal tourism," adding, "on the other hand, the Democratic Party is focusing its efforts on tarnishing the president and his associates."

Regarding domestic and international situations, he said, "Military tensions on the Korean Peninsula are rising higher than ever before," and added, "this appears to be the result of the Democratic Party administration’s successive submissive and conciliatory policies toward North Korea, but from now on, I urge thorough efforts to ensure a strong national defense that the people can feel secure about."