Park Hong-geun: "Yun Hae-gwan and the ruling party, eager to cover up government failures, are the main instigators of political strife"

"President Yoon Seok-yeol Must Apologize Profusely with Proper Formality"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized on the 7th regarding the 'Itaewon crowd crush disaster,' saying, "The 'Yunhaekgwan' (key figures close to President Yoon Seok-yeol) and ruling party members who are only eager to blindly cover up the government's incompetence are the main instigators of political strife and accomplices trying to conceal the disaster."

On the same day, Park made these remarks during the morning Supreme Council meeting, stating, "Members of the government and ruling party have made outrageous claims blaming the system, manuals, the media, the opposition party, the previous government, and even the parents."

Park also pointed out, "The next ruling party leadership candidates are competing fiercely to show their presence by holding a 'nonsense talk festival,'" adding, "This is precisely the politicization of the disaster, exploiting the deaths of citizens as an opportunity for personal advancement."

Addressing President Yoon Seok-yeol, he said, "If you truly empathize with the pain of the victims and bereaved families and feel responsible, you should properly apologize with due formality and a hundredfold repentance," adding, "Visiting memorial altars and attending religious events cannot substitute for a sincere apology." He also emphasized, "You must abandon the attitude of defying public sentiment even now," and urged, "Immediate actions must be taken, including the dismissal of the Prime Minister, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, and the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, as well as a comprehensive overhaul of the Presidential Office and the Cabinet."