Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
Yoon slams opposition, press for fomenting fears over Fukushima water release
President Yoon Suk Yeol clinches his fist as he speaks during the ruling People Power Party's annual seminar in Incheon, Monday. Joint Press Corps
By Nam Hyun-woo
President sets ideology as foremost value of country
By Nam Hyun-woo
President Yoon Suk Yeol slammed the opposition and the press for criticizing his administration's response to Japan's release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, saying it is impossible to govern the country full of such “unscientific forces.”
Since Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the disabled nuclear power plant on Aug. 24, Yoon has been refraining from making direct remarks on growing public concerns over the safety of seafood and the opposition's mounting criticism that the government is being too lenient on Tokyo. Monday's remarks are interpreted as Yoon's response to such criticism, signaling an escalating dispute with the opposition regarding a wide range of issues.
“With the opposition lawmakers controlling the majority of seats at the National Assembly and the media largely favoring their perspective, our government faces criticism around the clock,” Yoon said during a ruling People Power Party (PPP) seminar in Incheon.
“Look at the responses to the Fukushima issue. What these people are saying is that adding one and one equals 100, and they claim this to be scientific. We have no choice but to confront them,” he said.
So far, the Yoon government has maintained that it trusts the International Atomic Energy Agency's scientific assessment of the safety of the Fukushima wastewater release plan. However, opposition parties have been raising doubts about the UN nuclear watchdog's assessment, while media coverage in Korea has focused on health concerns voiced by consumers and fears of declining sales suffered by the country's fisheries industry.
“They stress political cooperation,” Yoon said. “But as I said earlier, a bird can fly with its left and right wings only if they are headed in the same direction.” He added, “While we are trying to move ahead, they are moving backwards. When they have the wrong idea of the direction of the flight, it simply won't work.”
He also denounced the liberal Moon Jae-in administration and compared it to “an insolvent company” plagued by “accounting fraud.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol applauds during the ruling People Power Party's annual seminar in Incheon, Monday. Joint Press Corps
During the seminar, Yoon also said that “ideology is the most important value that a country should seek” and “ideology is the philosophy that can lead a country in the right direction.”
Yoon has been reiterating the importance of “battling communist totalitarianism” in his recent speeches, including one he delivered at the Aug. 15 National Liberation Day ceremony. This prompted the liberal bloc to accuse the president of preaching “outdated McCarthyism.”
In recent weeks, the focus has been on an escalating ideological conflict surrounding historical figures after the government took issue with independence fighters who have a history of commiserating with communists.
“We often say the PPP prioritizes pragmatism over ideology, but there will be no pragmatism without philosophy and direction,” Yoon said. “In order for us to proceed effectively, we must clearly define the direction we are headed and have a clear understanding of our current position.”
The remarks appear to be part of a strategy to rally strong support for the PPP from across the conservative bloc before next year's general election, sending a signal that there will be no political cooperation, compromise or cohesion with the current opposition bloc.
“Fundamentally, compromise and cohesion could be possible only when we deeply scrutinize our national identity,” Yoon said. “At least within our administration and our party, I believe it's essential to firmly establish a clear direction of how we will lead our nation.”