The Democratic Party of Korea on Monday said the People Power Party "represents 'Yoon Again' and Ilbe," urging voters to "rally behind Democratic Party candidates in the June 3 local elections."
"This local election is a critical vote that will determine whether the Republic of Korea moves forward with common sense and the future, or regresses into hatred and incitement," Cheon Jun-ho, chief deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a floor leadership meeting at the National Assembly.
"This 'Tank Day' incident occurred immediately after the People Power Party blocked efforts to enshrine the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the Constitution, making this incident a joint product of the People Power Party and Ilbe," he said. "Last weekend, on the anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's death, Ilbe even occupied Bongha Village. How can we expect a future for this country if we leave such acts unchecked?"
He went on to say, "The People Power Party's attitude on this matter is even more outrageous," adding that the party "is blurring the essence of the issue and effectively encouraging hate speech."
"A typical example is the response by Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, who told President Lee Jae-myung to 'tone it down,'" Cheon said. "Is the People Power Party content as long as it can rally its base, even if the Republic of Korea is held back by hatred? It is boundlessly arrogant behavior that completely disregards the public."
"Just as the people created the opportunity for the Lee Jae-myung administration to work for them, you must use this election to give the Lee Jae-myung administration the strength to work harder and run state affairs stably," he said. "Please rally behind Democratic Party candidates in this local election."
