Ruling and Opposition Parties Say "All Efforts Needed to Protect National Interest" in 'LineYahoo' Incident

Democratic Party: "Japanese Government's Behavior Is Anti-Market Violence"
People Power Party: "Should Avoid Fostering Anti-Japanese Sentiment"

Regarding the 'Line Incident' triggered by administrative guidance from the Japanese government, the Democratic Party of Korea demanded the cooperation of the People Power Party to hold a standing committee meeting, stating that "a response at the National Assembly level is necessary."

On the 12th, Assemblymen Cho Seung-rae, the Democratic Party's secretary of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, and Lee Yong-seon, the secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly, saying, "The behavior of the Japanese government is a clear infringement of national interests and an anti-market outrage."

Jo Seung-rae (right) of the Democratic Party of Korea, member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, and Lee Yong-seon, secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, are holding a press conference on the Japan Naver Line incident on the afternoon of the 12th at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Assemblyman Cho said, "Our National Assembly should immediately activate the relevant standing committees, including the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee and the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, to review the government's countermeasures and strongly convey our protest to Japan," adding, "If necessary, joint meetings between the standing committees should also be held."

He also said, "It is said that some members of the People Power Party are already showing evasive moves, claiming that 'calling a standing committee meeting is a bad strategy,'" and added, "The People Power Party should promptly cooperate in holding the standing committee meeting and demonstrate that there is no ruling or opposition party in front of national interests."

Assemblyman Cho stated, "We have agreed to hold a meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, but (the People Power Party) refuses to conduct urgent inquiries and only wants to process bills," and argued, "If the ruling party chairman finds it difficult to hold the meeting, the chairmanship can be transferred to Secretary Lee Yong-seon for the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and to me for the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, so that issues can be addressed properly."

He also urged the government to elevate the Line Incident to a major diplomatic issue between the two countries and respond actively. Assemblyman Lee said, "I am not sure whether it should be elevated to an agenda item for the Korea-China-Japan summit to be held in Seoul at the end of this month, but the government must go beyond quiet diplomacy and take active measures." Assemblyman Cho added, "Among our party members, there are strong voices calling for a protest visit to the embassy or a more resolute response," and said, "For such matters, the government could summon the ambassador or take strong measures, but nothing of the sort has happened at all."

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is answering questions from reporters during a tea time held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 12th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a press conference held at the National Assembly, in response to a question that "there are criticisms that the government's response to the Line Incident is insufficient," "The party will support and engage in dialogue to ensure that there are no actions against national interests and the interests of our companies."

Floor leader Choo said, "I understand that the government has contacted Japanese authorities, sufficiently conveyed the positions of our companies such as Naver, and grasped the stance of the Japanese authorities," adding, "We will also promptly hear the positions from the government and companies."

Spokesperson Ho Joon-seok emphasized in a statement, "The freedom of companies must not be infringed upon by any political or diplomatic conflicts," and said, "If our companies are subjected to discriminatory treatment in a specific country, we will do our best to rectify it." He pointed out, "The People Power Party expresses concern about the current situation, which appears to involve unfair pressure based on a biased perspective from the Japanese government level on our companies' economic activities."

He also explained, "The Japanese government claims that it has never directly pressured Naver regarding the sale of shares, so caution is necessary to prevent further misunderstandings and conflicts," and added, "The People Power Party and the Yoon Seok-yeol administration will make every effort to resolve the Line Incident amicably."

Regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's criticism that "the government is unable to properly protest to Japan due to dismal diplomacy," Spokesperson Ho countered, calling it "politics that prioritize party interests over national interests." He added, "There is nothing to be resolved by unilaterally criticizing our government and further escalating anti-Japanese sentiment," and "In the current situation, the political sphere must refrain from acts such as inciting anti-Japanese sentiment for political gain."