"Elevating a Dictatorial Regime to an Object of Respect... Devastating"
"The President Should Have Pledged to Strengthen a Free Republic of Korea"
On March 1, the People Power Party criticized President Lee Jae-myung for emphasizing peace on the Korean Peninsula and stating that he "respects the North's regime" during his commemorative speech at the 107th March 1st Movement Anniversary Ceremony, calling it "shameful before history."
Ham Inkyung, spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary on the same day, "On a day meant to honor the sacrifice of our ancestors who stood against the bayonets, crying out for freedom, the President's remarks, which elevate a dictatorial regime that tramples on freedom to an object of respect, leave the people in despair."
President Lee Jae-myung delivers a commemorative speech at the 107th March 1st Movement Anniversary Ceremony held on the 1st at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
She added, "While the President's remarks may serve as a message for inter-Korean dialogue, they were not something to be addressed to the people on March 1st. What the President should have pledged on this day was not respect for the North Korean regime, but a stronger commitment to a free Republic of Korea."
She continued, "All I can read from President Lee's remarks is an attitude overly conscious of North Korea," and questioned, "Is the President seeking to defend the freedom of the Republic of Korea, or the sentiments of the North Korean regime?"
Party leader Jang Donghyuk also wrote on Facebook, "107 years ago today, our ancestors cried out 'Long live Korean independence!' at the cost of their lives. Yet now, a filibuster is being conducted in the National Assembly to protect the rule of law and democracy in the Republic of Korea. That is why I could not bring myself to applaud the President's commemorative speech today."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
