Lee Jae-myung "Korea, living on exports,
cannot escape the 'low growth swamp' without China"
People Power Party criticizes "China worship"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attributed meaning to his meeting with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, on the 8th, saying, "We met to restore the strained Korea-China competitiveness." As controversies arose over Ambassador Xing's remarks about 'betting on China' and diplomatic improprieties regarding the ruling party being bypassed, Lee focused on the background of the meeting to counter the criticism. However, the People Power Party strongly criticized it as 'Chinese servility.'
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the morning of the 9th, at an expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee said, "Yesterday, I met with Ambassador Xing Haiming to have extensive discussions aimed at restoring the strained Korea-China competitiveness, reviving trade with China, and finding new economic avenues."
He reiterated the importance of restoring trade with China. Lee stated, "It is almost impossible for South Korea, which relies on exports, to escape the quagmire of low growth while excluding its largest trading partner," adding, "Major American companies like Tesla are flocking to China, and European companies are doing the same."
He emphasized the need to pay attention to the fact that economic cooperation between the U.S. and China is expanding despite the U.S.-China conflict.
He said, "Although the U.S.-China conflict is intensifying, cooperation is expanding in economic areas except for core strategic sectors," and added, "Our government should properly examine the fact that not only the U.S. but also high-ranking European officials are expanding and strengthening economic cooperation with China."
He continued, "While the Democratic Party will do its best to overcome the export economy crisis neglected by the government, I earnestly ask the government to respond more sensitively to the suffering of the people."
The previous day, Lee met with Ambassador Xing at the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, upon the ambassador's invitation. At the meeting, Ambassador Xing said, "Some in Korea seem to be betting that the U.S. will win and China will lose, but this is clearly a wrong judgment and a failure to properly understand the flow of history," warning, "You will surely regret it." This was interpreted as a strong expression of opposition to the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's diplomacy, sparking controversy. Additionally, it was pointed out that the meeting with the ruling party was scheduled after the meeting with Lee, suggesting intentionality.
The People Power Party issued a statement on the same day, expressing dissatisfaction with the meeting toward Lee.
Kang Min-guk, chief spokesperson, strongly criticized, saying, "The scene of the meeting between Lee and Ambassador Xing yesterday even reminded us of the humiliation of Samjeondo, where the Joseon dynasty bowed before the Qing dynasty," and added, "How would the public view the leader of South Korea's main opposition party remaining silent on Ambassador Xing's remarks that unilaterally blame Korea for the deterioration of Korea-China relations, and merely listening to a one-sided lecture?"
They also raised criticism over Lee and Ambassador Xing discussing joint responses to the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan.
Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "The Democratic Party is spreading rumors and fake news and even involving the Chinese ambassador to stage a show to divert public attention from the money envelope scandal and Kim Nam-guk coin scandal."
Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Yoon also pointed out, "China's 55 nuclear power plants are mostly concentrated along the eastern coast of China, adjacent to our West Sea, and the amount of tritium discharged there is 50 times that of Fukushima's discharge," adding, "They say that when Fukushima's discharged water reaches Korean waters in 4 to 5 years, the tritium will be diluted to one 170,000th, but if so, the Democratic Party should demand countermeasures from China before Japan."
When reporters asked him after the floor strategy meeting about the claim that "Ambassador Xing met the opposition leader first and had a dinner at the residence, and opposed the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water," he responded, "I think it was an inappropriate act."
Shin Won-sik, ruling party member of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, also pointed out at the meeting that day, "Ambassador Xing spewed rude remarks as if he were Yuan Shikai of the Qing dynasty who came to Korea in the late Joseon period," and said, "He criticized and even mocked our government, which is the height of arrogance."
Shin said, "What is even more surprising is that Lee echoed him and even talked about joint responses to the Fukushima contaminated water," adding, "Ignoring the new civilization winds blowing from the sea in the late Joseon period and relying on the Qing dynasty and even Russia, what happened? I am sure I am not the only one reminded of the reactionary, feudal, and servile officials who caused the downfall of the country in the late Joseon period when seeing Lee's behavior."
He then asked Lee, "Is Chinese servility your true intention?" and emphasized, "Do you think your conduct yesterday is appropriate for the leader of the main opposition party?"
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