Democratic Party: "The government and ruling party giving up on cooperation, pathetic 'secret dinner'"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the 'Mutual Growth Flower Attachment' event held by the Committee for Protecting the People at the National Assembly on the 25th, and is seen talking with Park Hong-geun, floor leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Democratic Party of Korea criticized on the 26th the dinner between President Yoon Seok-yeol and the People Power Party leadership the previous day, calling it "a pathetic secret dinner of a government and ruling party that have given up on cooperation."

On the same day, Seo Yong-ju, the standing deputy spokesperson, pointed out in a National Assembly briefing, "President Yoon and the People Power Party leadership met at the presidential residence for 3 hours and 20 minutes, but did not release a single photo or video."

He added, "The dinner meeting, which did not allow even a single word to be reported, shows their exclusive governance marked by poor communication and arrogance," and said, "The government and ruling party's attitude of leisurely chatting even amid a serious national crisis is outrageous."

Deputy Spokesperson Seo said, "Have you forgotten the October 29 tragedy? Are you turning a deaf ear to the anguished cries of the bereaved families?" He emphasized, "The president, who promised cooperation with the opposition in front of the people, only emphasized harmony between the presidential office and the ruling party," and "The president's words about meeting together once the ruling party leadership is formed were nothing but empty promises to buy time. The opposition is merely a target of political oppression."

He also renewed pressure on President Yoon to dismiss Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min. Deputy Spokesperson Seo said, "President Yoon has remained silent in response to the bereaved families' demand for Minister Lee's dismissal," and stated, "If the president truly empathizes with the people's pain, he should not only protect Minister Lee but also heed the desperate cries of the bereaved families." "It is time for the president to make a decision. We urge the president to respond."

Regarding the case of a mother and daughter living in Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, who were found dead after struggling with poverty, he held the government accountable, saying, "Although they promised to accompany the vulnerable, the state and government were absent in the reality of poverty." Furthermore, he urged, "It has been less than three months since witnessing the tragedy of the three mothers in Suwon, and yet again, the death of impoverished vulnerable people has occurred. This is a tragedy caused by mere lip service in governance," and "We hope the government will practice consistent governance to stop such tragedies," Deputy Spokesperson Seo urged.