Jeong Cheong-rae: "Is President Yoon's Time to Talk About Soju at the Ruling Party Workshop?"

"Drinking Soju at a Place to Discuss National History? Inappropriate"
Criticism Over Removal and Relocation of Busts of 5 Independent Heroes at Korea Military Academy

Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol, who attended the People Power Party retreat, saying, "Usually, when a president attends a retreat, they deliver an official statement, but hearing him say things like 'I want to have a glass of soju, but I can't because of the watchful eyes' made me think this person has no shame," and added, "Is this the time to be talking about soju there?"

On the 28th, President Yoon attended the People Power Party retreat and said, "It would be nice to spend a night together with you all and talk late into the night, but since the public is watching, even having a glass of soju is difficult," and added, "We must use the time with the lawmakers valuably and effectively to set the course and direction that the party and cabinet should take, and successfully carry out the regular National Assembly session."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 2023 People Power Party National Assembly Members' Workshop dinner held in Incheon on the 28th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, on the 29th, Representative Jeong appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and said, "The government and ruling party should be discussing national affairs (at such a gathering), but it seems he regrets that they cannot sleep together and have a glass of soju and talk," and criticized, "The people are shedding tears of blood right now, fishermen and fishery workers are in despair, and this is not something the president should be saying."

He continued, "He says the previous administration ruined the country, but I wonder if he is confusing that with the fact that he himself is ruining it," and added, "He says the media landscape is unfavorable to them and talks about Fukushima-related issues saying 'we have no choice but to fight' and 'claiming 1+1 equals 100.' I wondered if President Yoon is living in another country."

When the host asked, "I don't think I've seen a president attend the ruling party retreat two years in a row," Jeong replied, "President Yoon seems to be setting new records for bad things," mentioning the plan to remove and relocate busts of five independence heroes, including General Hong Beom-do, at the Korea Military Academy.

Representative Jeong said, "I've heard the saying 'an unlikely event can be fatal,' but this is the first time I've seen an unlikely event lead to historical denial and the killing of history," and argued, "They are digging out General Hong Beom-do from history, but it's not only traitors who sell out the country. Neglecting the spirit of the nation, history, and independence heroes is no less than that."