Estimated Crowd of 20,000... Criticism of Japan Diplomacy
Ruling Party: "Lee Has No Right to Discuss National Interest"
Civil society organizations including the Korea-Japan History Justice and Peace Action held the "4th Nationwide Rally to Judge Humiliating Diplomacy" at Seoul Plaza on the 25th, strongly criticizing the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's diplomacy with Japan.
They regarded the recent Korea-Japan summit as "treasonous diplomacy" and demanded the abolition of the forced labor resolution. The groups pointed out, "Not only the forced labor issue but also Dokdo, Japanese military comfort women, the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant, and Korea-US-Japan military cooperation are causing growing public anger, yet the government continues to distort and make excuses, citing future generations and economic security." Approximately 20,000 people were estimated to have gathered at the rally.
Political parties such as the Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party also joined in. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the event and claimed, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration, entrusted with power, only gave away benefits at this Korea-Japan summit and received nothing in return." He pointed out, "Radioactively contaminated Japanese agricultural and marine products might end up on our tables," and questioned, "If Japan demanded the import of agricultural and marine products, shouldn't we have said 'No'?" He also asked, "When Japan spoke about Dokdo, did we firmly respond with 'Absolutely not'?" and added, "What did we say when Japan demanded the implementation of the comfort women agreement?"
Regarding the forced labor compensation plan, he questioned, "What benefits did a solution that only favors Japan bring to us?" and criticized, "They did not concede anything, and instead, denied the existence of forced labor while presenting us with additional bills."
Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, rebutted President Yoon Suk-yeol's remark that "there are forces shouting exclusive nationalism and anti-Japan sentiment to gain political advantage," stating, "The people of the Republic of Korea engage with Japan in all fields, expanding exchanges and competing in good faith, confronting Japan more confidently than anyone else."
The People Power Party criticized Lee Jae-myung's participation and remarks at the rally, saying, "The Democratic Party and its leader have no qualification to discuss national interests," and added, "Everyone knows that the Democratic Party is taking over downtown Seoul solely to shield Lee, so their continuous weekend street protests are shameless."
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