Korean political parties condemn attack on Trump as act of terrorism
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., Saturday. AP-Yonhap
Hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump sustained a gunshot wound during a campaign rally, Korean political parties on Sunday were united in condemning the attack as an act of terrorism that threatens democracy.
Ho Jun-seok, spokesperson for the ruling People Power Party (PPP), wished Trump a speedy recovery, after the Republican presidential candidate had a bullet pierce the upper part of his right ear during a Saturday rally (U.S. time) in Pennsylvania.
"Political terrorism is a threat to democracy and cannot be tolerated for any reason," Ho said in a statement. "Political terrorism is a product of extremism and politics of hate. Politicians have the duty to unite society through understanding and harmony."
Ho said Korean people have also been affected by political terrorism, citing attacks on former presidential candidate and ex-Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung and PPP lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin.
"The PPP strongly condemns political terrorism, and we will lead the efforts to eradicate the politics of extremism and hatred," Ho added.
DPK spokesperson Han Min-soo also sent best wishes Trump's way and echoed the PPP's sentiment that political terrorism must never be justified.
"The Democratic Party of Korea suffered an act of terrorism against former leader Lee Jae-myung, and we've been battling to fend off the ghosts of such terrible politics based on hatred," Han said. "We strongly condemn political terrorism that destroys democracy, and we will be on the front lines of the battle against the politics of hatred."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has said it will treat the shooting as "an assassination attempt" against Trump. Lee, who was stabbed in the neck in January, also called it as such.
"I strongly condemn the assassination attempt against presidential candidate Trump. Violence and terrorism must not be tolerated under any circumstances," Lee wrote on his social media. "I demand a thorough and stern response to such a serious crime that shakes the foundation of democracy." (Yonhap)