Kang Yujeong Holds Briefing on September 14
Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on the Gangwon Town Hall Meeting held on the 12th in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On September 14, the Presidential Office refuted criticism from the People Power Party, which called the Gangwon Town Hall Meeting a "government-orchestrated election," stating, "Some opposition parties' denigration runs counter to national unity."
Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said in a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office that day, "Communicating with the people and practicing democracy has long been President Lee Jaemyung's political philosophy, as well as a firm principle of governance for this citizen-sovereignty government." She added, "We hope it is understood that attempts by some opposition parties to distort the President's emphasis on prioritizing the people's voices as a government-orchestrated election, and to use it as material for political strife, run counter to national unity."
President Lee, during the town hall meeting he presided over in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province on the 12th, interrupted remarks by Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Province. At the time, Governor Kim requested to speak, saying, "I would like to say something," but President Lee stopped him, explaining that it was "an occasion for dialogue with the residents." In response, the People Power Party issued a statement on the 13th, criticizing, "By sidelining opposition local government heads, publicly rebuking them, and even blocking their opportunity to speak, the administration is fueling controversy over government-orchestrated elections."
Spokesperson Kang explained, "When a local government head present at the event requested to speak, President Lee asked that, since it was a venue for dialogue between the residents and the President, any requests be submitted separately in writing to the Presidential Office, and instead returned the opportunity to speak to the residents." She added, "It was only natural to give the residents, who made the effort to attend, the opportunity to speak, in line with the event’s purpose of directly hearing their voices."
In addition, Kang stated, "President Lee has already listened to regional issues through meetings with governors and mayors from all 17 cities and provinces nationwide and has instructed each ministry to prepare follow-up measures," emphasizing, "Local government heads, including governors, can always listen to the opinions of their residents."
Meanwhile, Kang commented, "There was a much-needed rainfall in Gangneung, Gangwon Province," and added, "The government will expand available water resources by adding necessary facilities and will also work to prepare countermeasures in response to climate change."
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