Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, rebutted the claim that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, politically exploited Jeju's historical wounds by calling the People Power Party the 'descendants of the April 3 massacre,' stating that it is rather the progressive camp that has done so.
On the 3rd, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and General Election Campaign Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, appealed for support for candidates Kim Hye-ran (Gangwon Chuncheon City, Cheorwon County, Hwacheon County, Yanggu County Gap) and Han Ki-ho (Gangwon Chuncheon City, Cheorwon County, Hwacheon County, Yanggu County Eul) in Myeongdong, Chuncheon, Gangwon. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the afternoon of the 3rd, at a campaign event in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Chairman Han said, "Leader Lee claimed that our party is responsible for the Jeju April 3 incident," adding, "As Lee himself admits, he is from Ilbe (a far-right community called Ilgan Best)." He continued, "People like Leader Lee have only politically exploited historical pain and have done nothing to embrace that pain."
Chairman Han also criticized former President Moon Jae-in. He stated, "What the people of Jeju truly wanted was to expand the ex officio retrial related to the Jeju April 3 incident from the military court to the general court," and added, "The Moon Jae-in administration did not do that. I did it after becoming Minister of Justice." Furthermore, he said, "I ask Ilbe member Leader Lee what it means to properly view history," and added, "After becoming minister, I understood why the Moon administration did not do it. They did not do it because it is tedious and requires a lot of effort to thoroughly examine all records."
On the same day, at the 76th anniversary memorial ceremony held at the Jeju April 3 Peace Park, Leader Lee told reporters, "The People Power Party should apologize for not participating in this event even now," and stated, "The People Power Party is a political group that can be called the descendants of the April 3 massacre." He also pointed out, "Those who belittle the April 3 incident should be penalized," and criticized, "Nevertheless, they gave nomination certificates in this general election, awarding them the chance to become members of the National Assembly."
Meanwhile, Chairman Han appealed for support from residents of the Chuncheon area. He said, "I will throw my whole body into fighting criminals and improving people's livelihoods for you," and added, "I will remember each face of the Chuncheon citizens who filled the space densely on this gloomy day." He also urged, "Please trust us and go out strongly to early voting," and promised, "I will come back to Chuncheon after victory."
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