Lee Jae-myung "It Is Important That No Collisions or Sacrifices Occur"
Cho Kuk Urges Yoon to "Heed the People's Will"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, visited the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery on the 6th together. When Cho said, "I believe that revealing the injustice behind Marine Chae's death and identifying those responsible is the spirit of Memorial Day," Lee responded with applause. It was reported that Cho conveyed the message to President Yoon Suk-yeol on the same day, urging him to "heed the will of the people."
On the morning of the same day, Lee and Cho, who attended the 69th Memorial Day ceremony held at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, stood side by side and met with reporters. Lee said, "In times of community crisis, the most important thing is to protect the lives and safety of the people. We should never forget and always remember the patriotic martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the people and the nation."
Lee emphasized, "Especially, preventing the sacrifice of citizens due to war is the core of security policy. While winning when conflicts occur is important, what is more important is to prevent clashes and sacrifices from happening. I am reminded once again that prevention is the most crucial national security policy."
Cho said, "To uphold the spirit of Memorial Day, we should not focus on past events but honor the spirit of Marine Chae who recently passed away and reveal the injustice surrounding his death. Instead of commemorating the past, I hope we start by clarifying the spirit of Memorial Day at this moment," criticizing the government for rejecting the 'Chae Marine Special Prosecutor Act' (Special Prosecutor Act on the alleged external pressure in the death case of Marine Chae Sang-byeong).
He also said, "As Leader Lee accurately stated, what we need more than honoring the patriotic martyrs is to maintain peace," adding, "Regarding the termination of the September 19 military agreement, I deeply regret it, and even if North Korea was the first to terminate it, I question whether responding in kind is the right thing to do."
It was reported that Cho conveyed the message "heed the will of the people" when shaking hands with President Yoon at the memorial ceremony that day.
According to the Cho Guk Innovation Party, Cho made these remarks when meeting President Yoon at the 69th Memorial Day ceremony held at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery's Gyeoreol Madang in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.
The Cho Guk Innovation Party interpreted the remarks as meaning, "(President Yoon) is running the government regardless of public opinion, so he should properly heed the will of the people." The party claimed that although the president did not give a specific response to Cho's remarks, he appeared flustered.
Cho also criticized President Yoon in his Memorial Day message that morning. He said, "Japan is trying to swallow 'Line,' Asia's top messenger produced by Korea, but the Korean government does not even properly protest," pointing out, "The president and the presidential office are protecting Japan."
He added, "The presidential office disregards criticism that it is not just pro-Japanese but also pro-Japan, worshipping Japan, and serving Japan," and criticized, "In just two years, South Korea has regressed 40, 50, 60 years back." Cho further criticized, "Those who once wore judicial robes instead of military boots are suppressing the people, silencing them, and conducting searches and seizures," and condemned, "The bust of General Hong Beom-do, who led the first victory in the Battle of Bongodong, is about to be expelled from the Army Academy, which is tantamount to 'exhumation.'"
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