Regarding the controversial remarks made by Kwon Chil-seung, the senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, who said to former Cheonan ship captain Choi Won-il, "How dare you say such things after all your subordinates died," Kim Young-jin, the party leader's political coordination chief, clarified, "The intention was not to go against the wishes of the Cheonan ship soldiers and their bereaved families."
On the 7th, on YTN's 'News King Park Ji-hoon,' Kim said, "What Senior Spokesperson Kwon meant was that he shares the pain and suffering of the Cheonan ship bereaved families, survivors, and soldiers, and within that context, he suggested that the captain should feel a greater sense of responsibility."
Former Captain Choi protested against Lee Rae-kyung, chairman of the Other Hundred Years Foundation, who was appointed as the Democratic Party's Innovation Committee Chair on the 5th, for previously claiming the 'Cheonan ship self-destruction theory.' In response, Senior Spokesperson Kwon retorted, "How dare you say such things? It's outrageous after all your subordinates died."
Kim said, "It was a somewhat excessive expression," adding, "We trust and respect the government's announcement and details regarding the Cheonan ship incident. This principle remains unchanged, and we will continue to share the pain of the bereaved families and maintain the same stance toward North Korea."
The ruling party is demanding Kwon's resignation. However, Kim dismissed the resignation rumors, saying, "In my view, Senior Spokesperson Kwon will probably make an appropriate statement today." This is interpreted as moving toward an explanation rather than resignation.
Chairman Lee resigned from the Innovation Committee Chair position amid controversy after past claims such as the 'Cheonan ship self-destruction theory' and the 'COVID-19 origin theory in the U.S.' surfaced. Regarding this, Kim said, "Ultimately, I regret that the situation has come to this," adding, "We should have proceeded more calmly and prudently, and I apologize for not doing so."
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