Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the absence of Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, and opposition parties including the Democratic Party from the government-hosted 79th Liberation Day celebration, calling it highly regrettable and inappropriate as it made the country appear divided.
After attending the celebration held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on the 15th, Han told reporters, "There may be differences of opinion regarding the greetings, but Liberation Day is a political event that all citizens should celebrate," adding, "If there are disagreements, they could come here and express them, but being absent and making it look like the country is divided is very inappropriate."
The Democratic Party boycotted the celebration, criticizing the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok, director of the Independence Hall, amid controversy over his 'pro-Japanese New Right' views, and instead attended a separate commemorative ceremony hosted by the Liberation Association and others. Woo, the Speaker and a member of the Democratic Party, also did not attend the celebration and visited the National Seoul National Cemetery to pay respects.
Han also criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hyun-hee for using the term "murderer" to refer to Kim Keon-hee during the judiciary committee's impeachment hearing for prosecutors held the previous day, calling it "unreasonable."
He said, "No matter how much they are politicians, not many citizens would sympathize with such remarks," and added, "The party will take necessary measures regarding this."
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