Conflicting Evaluations of the Ruling and Opposition Parties on the Korea-Japan Summit Meeting
On the 18th, the ruling and opposition parties gave conflicting evaluations regarding the Korea-Japan summit between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The People Power Party praised the achievements in security and economic sectors while criticizing the opposition party for nitpicking based on anti-Japanese sentiment. Jang Dong-hyuk, the party's floor spokesperson, remarked in a statement, "Now, Korea and Japan have become partner countries sharing universal values and cooperating in security, economy, and global agendas."
Jang also criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "Before the tour even ended, they completely destroyed the diplomatic achievements. Not only do they spread fake news and distorted information, but they even nitpick over the dinner venue," adding, "The DNA of agitation relying on anti-Japanese sentiment is overflowing uncontrollably."
Regarding the attendance of Democratic Party figures including leader Lee Jae-myung at the nationwide rally condemning the Korea-Japan summit, a separate statement said, "Leader Lee unleashed unpleasant harsh words at today's rally condemning diplomacy with Japan. It is impossible to tell which country's party leader he is."
Spokesperson Kim Ye-ryeong also commented, "They are holding the rally, even disturbing citizens' outings, for only one reason: to shield Leader Lee," and added, "They are trying to patch up the tattered bulletproof armor from the rejection of the arrest consent bill with the 'Death Song'."
Meanwhile, on the same day, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, attended the nationwide rally condemning the Korea-Japan summit held in front of Seoul City Hall plaza and repeatedly criticized President Yoon.
Members of Pyeongtongsa are installing a coffin symbolizing the death of the Yoon administration during an urgent press conference on the 16th in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's submissive diplomacy that grants exemption from liability for compensation to Japanese colonial rule and war crime companies. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@
Lee said, "The president who went to Japan did not act according to the will of the people and ultimately chose the path of a Japanese lackey," adding, "President Yoon went with a bundle of gifts but returned not empty-handed but with nothing but bills."
He stated, "The right to claim compensation for forced labor is a human right that no one can infringe upon. 'Third-party compensation' without the victims' consent is clearly illegal," and criticized, "Nevertheless, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is pushing forward with 'subrogation payment.' This humiliating attitude shows they will do anything just to please Japan."
Lee also claimed, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration is moving toward Korea-Japan military cooperation through solutions for forced labor compensation and restoring GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement)," and argued, "This aligns with Japan's militarization and the nullification of its Peace Constitution, which pose a permanent threat to the Korean Peninsula."
Senior spokesperson Ahn Ho-young also directly criticized in a written briefing, "Okakura Tenshin, whom President Yoon quoted during his speech at Keio University, was a Korean disparager who claimed 'Joseon was originally Japanese territory,'" and questioned, "How can the president of the Republic of Korea cite the words of an invasion theorist who actively supported colonial rule?"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
