Controversy Over Excluding Opposition from 'Daegok-Sosa Line' Opening Ceremony... "Yoon Violated Neutrality Duty and Interfered in General Election"

"Won Hee-ryong's Strategic Nomination Story? Violation of Neutrality Obligation"
Kim Dong-yeon "If Intentional Exclusion, Penny Wise Pound Foolish"

The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the government's request for opposition lawmakers to refrain from attending the 'Daegok-Sosa Line' opening ceremony, which President Yoon Suk-yeol attended, calling it "a violation of the president's political neutrality obligation and interference in the general election," and demanded the convening of the National Assembly's Steering Committee.

Han Jun-ho, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party, said at the party's general meeting on the afternoon of the 30th, "Members of the People Power Party reportedly received invitations to the (Daegok-Sosa Line) opening ceremony last night, but opposition lawmakers did not receive any contact," adding, "This is pre-election campaigning, a violation of the president's political neutrality, and interference in the general election." He also stated, "Our party will strongly question this and convene the relevant standing committee."

Ahead of the 'West Sea Line Daegok-Sosa Double Track Railway' opening ceremony held in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, opposition-affiliated lawmakers from Goyang and Bucheon cities in Gyeonggi Province, as well as Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province, initially received invitations but were reportedly suddenly asked not to attend. Representative Han said, "(The Presidential Office) said it was a practical mistake by the Land Committee's administrative officer."

Representative Han stated, "The Daegok-Sosa Line was planned in 2001 as part of the entire metropolitan transportation alternative under the Kim Dae-jung administration, but all of that content was omitted from today's event," and added, "Why did Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, come to the event? All Democratic Party lawmakers were excluded, but all ruling party district committee heads from Bucheon and Goyang cities were invited, and all ruling party Land Committee members attended."

Han Jun-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He said, "There are seven Democratic Party lawmakers in the Daegok-Sosa Line area," and added, "There are frequent rumors that the president is strategically nominating Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in Representative Shim's constituency nearby." He criticized, "Except for Democratic Party lawmakers and Representative Shim, this becomes a People Power Party event, and with the president attending, it is a violation of political neutrality obligations."

Opposition lawmakers also raised concerns at the National Assembly Land Committee's full meeting the previous day. Representative Shim questioned Minister Won, saying, "The day after being invited to the opening ceremony, I was notified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport not to attend," and added, "Moreover, I understand that the governor of Gyeonggi Province was also barred from attending, as well as all lawmakers from Goyang-eul and Bucheon districts. This is the first time I have experienced such a case."

Minister Won responded, "I have not yet received a detailed report from the working department, so I do not fully understand the situation," and said, "Correcting this is important; there is no need to argue over details. I will welcome them wearing a sash."

Governor Kim also pointed out at a press conference marking his first anniversary in office held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government briefing room that day, "There are reports that opposition lawmakers, mayors, and the governor of Gyeonggi Province were excluded under instructions from above, which is regrettable," and added, "I do not know the reason, but if it was intentional exclusion, I think it is a case of losing the big picture for small gains."