President Yoon's Message on LA Wildfires
Criticized as "Out of Place and Missing the Point"
Kim Geun-sik, former head of the Vision Strategy Office of the People Power Party and chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong party committee, criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is currently suspended from duty, for issuing a message regarding the Los Angeles (LA) wildfires in the United States, saying that "(President Yoon’s) mental state is ironclad," and that it is not the time to discuss the LA wildfires.
Geun-sik Kim, former Director of Vision and Strategy Office of the People Power Party. Geun-sik Kim Facebook
On the 13th, Kim appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and said, "The police are preparing to arrest him with a warrant issued by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office on charges of treason, and the security office staff are in an uproar trying to prevent the arrest. The entire nation is watching this with anxiety, confusion, worry, and concern, yet he is sending a message expressing concern for the American people over the LA wildfires. First of all, his mental state is ironclad," adding, "It is completely out of place and the priorities are reversed."
He continued, "The nation is divided into two, and the whole country is torn apart over the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Isn't he primarily responsible for causing this? What is needed now is to soothe those people and warmly comfort their hearts, not to talk about the LA wildfires at this time. It is truly frustrating," he criticized.
Earlier that day, President Yoon posted on social media, "It is very unfortunate that the damage caused by the large wildfire in LA, USA, continues to spread," and "I offer my condolences and words of comfort to those who have suffered unexpected damage and extend my sympathies to the American people." He also appeared to give instructions as a sitting president, saying, "If help is needed, I ask that the government provide support and do its best to prevent damage to our overseas Koreans."
Park Won-seok, former Justice Party lawmaker who appeared on the show with Kim, also pointed out, "SNS messages should be appropriate to the timing and situation," adding, "The LA wildfire is a worrying matter, but right now, the entire nation is looking at news articles and social media every day about the treason incident. It does not seem like the time for him to leisurely worry about the LA wildfires."
Additionally, Kim expressed concern over the fact that despite lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun and others attending Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon's rallies, and lawmaker Kim Min-jeon arranging a National Assembly press conference for a group that claims to be the 'Baekgoldan,' the People Power Party leadership is effectively neglecting these actions. He said, "Our party is currently lost and is being captured by the far-right Jeon Kwang-hoon party," warning, "If they do not come to their senses due to the illusion of approval ratings, they will face a harsh reality later." He added, "If we had a truly proper party leadership, Yoon Sang-hyun and Kim Min-jeon should be disciplined. Isn't that the identity of our party?"
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