Cheong Wa Dae shies away from political criticisms

By Kim Hyo-jin

Cheong Wa Dae has refrained from responding to potential presidential candidates’ attacks on President Park Geun-hye, dismissing them as “attention-seeking” political offensives.

Several leading politicians from ruling and opposition parties have stepped up speaking against Park’s policies on the economy and North Korea, as well as corruption allegations linked to her.

“There is no need to make any statement about their criticism as it appears to be a typical tactic for potential candidates to bolster their political presence as the presidential term nears its end,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said.

“At a time when we are facing the urgent tasks of responding to the North's nuclear threats and economic challenges, we don't have any space in our minds to pay attention to these criticisms one by one.”

Rep. Kim Moo-sung, a former chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, lashed out at Park’s handling of Pyongyang, calling it a “failure.”

“It seems obvious that the North is stepping toward full-fledged nuclear ability,” Kim said during an audit session of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Thursday.

“South Korea consequently failed on North Korea policies and the Park government is no exception.”

The Saenuri’s former floor leader, Rep. Yoo Seong-min, also denounced the government’s idleness in dealing with rising household debt, job instability and the debt-ridden shipping industry, during an audit of the Strategy and Finance Committee.

“Is the government just going to waste time until the end of the presidential term?” he said.

Unhappy with the ruling party lawmakers’ criticism, a presidential official said, “An offensive against the President might draw brief attention, but I doubt if it will be beneficial to their bid for the presidency in the long term.”

From the opposition side, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon has also denounced the central government over allegations that it has blacklisted 9,473 artists to withhold any support for them.

Meanwhile, President Park’s approval rating has declined to a record low since her inauguration in February 2013, according to a public poll, Friday, amid growing allegations over her aides.

A Gallup Korea survey found that only 26 percent of respondents supported Park’s job performance, 3 percentage points down from the previous week.

Political analysts believe that her declining approval rating is due mainly to a series of corruption allegations the opposition parties have made against people known to be close to the President.