Ruling and Opposition Parties Show Stark Contrast in Response to Presidential Address: "Sincere Apology" vs "Must Oust" (Summary)

Yoon Opposes 'Kim Yeo-sa Special Investigation' Despite Apologies for Various Controversies
Opposition Six Parties Hold Private Dinner Today to Discuss Offensive Strategies Against Ruling Party

On the 7th, the ruling and opposition parties gave mixed evaluations of President Yoon Suk-yeol's national address and press conference. The ruling party assessed that President Yoon resolved doubts regarding recent controversies involving First Lady Kim Geon-hee and others. However, the opposition criticized the address as an empty speech filled with lies and excuses.

People affiliated with the People Power Party are watching the live broadcast of President Yoon Suk-yeol's national address at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the same day, Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly in the afternoon, "I believe President Yoon spoke sincerely and candidly about various national issues as the president responsible for state affairs."

He added, "With today's national address and press conference as an opportunity, our National Assembly should also stop political strife and join forces to focus on urgent livelihood issues and diplomatic and security matters," emphasizing, "The National Assembly must concentrate on protecting livelihoods and nurturing the future."

Park Jun-tae, the party's floor spokesperson, also praised in a statement, "It was a meaningful press conference where we could hear sincere thoughts on various political issues and overall state affairs," and said, "The president humbly apologized for shortcomings and controversies in state affairs, and many doubts were resolved through sufficient on-site responses."

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the other hand, the opposition severely criticized President Yoon's address as one filled with lies.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters, "It does not seem to be content that the public would readily agree with." While refraining from giving a detailed stance, saying he had not closely examined the address, Lee urged People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon to "meet and talk especially at times like this," calling for a meeting between the ruling and opposition party leaders.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "In a word, it was a miserable and tragic address. The president's awareness and attitude were miserable, and the feelings of the people watching were tragic," adding, "Citizens have repeatedly evaluated it as a rambling, nonsensical rant that would be hard to hear even at a drinking party rather than a presidential address."

He further criticized, "The voice recording of Myung Tae-gyun's phone call was publicly revealed, yet the president shamelessly denied involvement and deals in candidate nominations and tried to gloss over allegations of state manipulation," and added, "He says he cannot even mention looking at First Lady Kim Geon-hee's phone, but she replied to texts using the president's phone." He also sharply questioned, "Why did he participate in the Park Geun-hye investigation while claiming that the special prosecutor is a violation of the separation of powers?"

Kim Min-seok, a Supreme Council member of the same party, also evaluated the press conference as "a confirmation of the paralysis of state affairs." Kim criticized, "The president is in an abnormal state where normal governance, normal thinking, and normal communication are impossible," and said, "Criticism of state manipulation is blamed on citizens who do not understand Korean, demands for a special prosecutor are blamed on the opposition who do not understand the constitution, and the solution is a state of intellectual paralysis by ordinary standards involving marital quarrels and phone replacement."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 2024 Democratic Party of Korea Incheon City Party-Government Council held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, criticized on his SNS, "I saw the desperate efforts of V1 to protect V0 Kim Geon-hee, the president," and said, "Yoon Suk-yeol neither admitted facts nor showed sincere reflection but rather scolded the people." He emphasized, "He no longer deserves to sit in the presidential seat," and "He must be removed."

Criticism also arose regarding the manner and attitude of the address. Heo Eun-ah, leader of the Reform New Party, pointed out, "President Yoon Suk-yeol has recorded another 'first.' It seems he is the first president to apologize to the public and then sit down to deliver a speech."

The opposition plans to focus on external rallies and other offensive measures against the ruling party after President Yoon effectively rejected the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law that day. Immediately, floor leaders of six opposition parties plan to hold a private dinner meeting to seek cooperation measures. Park Chan-dae said, "We will share the political situation related to the president's address and discuss contents for joint responses going forward."

Earlier, in a morning press conference, President Yoon apologized regarding controversies related to the First Lady, saying, "I believe the president is not a position to make excuses. Everything is my fault and a result of my lack of virtue." However, he clearly opposed the special prosecutor for the First Lady, calling it "political agitation" and "human rights violations."