Gominjung "Prioritizing Personal Politics Over National Interest, Regrettable"
Do Jonghwan "Claims Not Based on Facts Continue"
Democratic Party lawmakers Ko Min-jung and Yoon Gun-young, along with former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan, have launched a decisive rebuttal against the ruling party's offensive regarding First Lady Kim Jung-sook's visit to India. The two lawmakers and the former minister held a press briefing at the National Assembly, answering reporters' questions for about 40 minutes. Members of the ruling party, including People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin, have launched attacks over Kim Jung-sook, the spouse of former President Moon Jae-in, visiting the Taj Mahal in India in 2018, calling it a 'self-invitation' and criticizing the 'luxurious in-flight meals.'
At the press briefing held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building at 11 a.m. on the 7th, Lawmaker Ko Min-jung stated, "At that time, Indian Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed First Lady Kim's visit through Twitter and shared festival photos with the Indian public in real time." She added, "Further political strife only damages the nation's dignity," and criticized, "People Power Party lawmakers are waving around absurd documents probably due to a loyalty competition." Furthermore, she said, "There were even claims that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was planning an event costing 25 million won, but the First Lady's involvement caused 400 million won to be wasted," and added, "Seeing this, I thought, 'When ignorance and boldness combine, such ridiculous statements are made.'"
On the morning of the 7th, Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is rebutting the ruling party's offensive at a press briefing related to First Lady Kim Jung-sook's visit to India, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Lawmaker Yoon Gun-young revealed detailed information about the in-flight meal costs, arguing that the meals were not luxurious. Yoon said, "We persistently requested detailed disclosures from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korean Air, and only received them this morning," and explained, "66.5% of the cost was for preservation expenses unrelated to meals." He continued, "Out of 62.9 million won, 10 million won was transportation fees and 6 million won was for ingredient purchases," clarifying, "Only 4.8% of the total cost was for First Lady Kim's in-flight meals." He also stated that a total of 50 people, excluding flight attendants, were on the chartered plane at the time. This included 31 members from the delegation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Blue House's Second Office, 14 security, medical, and aviation staff, and 5 journalists.
Former Minister Do Jong-hwan explained at the press briefing that "In 2018, India was pursuing the New Eastern Policy, and we were promoting the New Southern Policy, which expanded exchanges between the two countries," adding, "Prime Minister Modi warmly welcomed First Lady Kim's visit, and it was a diplomatic schedule carried out with great enthusiasm." He also stated that the Taj Mahal visit was at the request of the Indian side. He said, "In the first half of 2018 alone, India conducted summit diplomacy with about 50 countries and required all leaders to visit the Taj Mahal," and added, "In India, news such as visits by the Trumps or the Canadian Prime Minister is widely broadcast."
Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan is speaking on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show.' [Photo by YouTube screen capture]
Just before visiting the National Assembly, former Minister Do also explained the situation during the India visit on a radio program. Around 8 a.m. that day, Do appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I am making this statement because unfounded claims and distortions have continued." He added, "Prime Minister Modi considered the groundbreaking ceremony of the Heo Hwang-uk Park, which was jointly funded by both countries, very important and requested it from former President Moon Jae-in," and explained, "Discussions continued while considering how to compose the highest-level delegation."
In response to the host's question about the 'late arrival of the invitation letter,' he said, "It took time to decide who would send it because we were considering how to carry out diplomatic measures with proper etiquette." He also revealed the original letter from Indian Prime Minister Modi on the radio that day. The letter, sent nine days before First Lady Kim's visit, stated, "We are very pleased to publicly invite Mrs. Kim Jung-sook, First Lady of the Republic of Korea, to lead the delegation and visit India."
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