The People Power Party announced that it will not participate in President Lee Jae-myung's 'National appointment ceremony' scheduled for the 15th. It criticized President Lee for needing to prioritize the people's economy rather than displaying power amid pressing issues such as South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations and damage from heavy rainfall.
Chairperson and floor leader of the People Power Party, Song Eon-seok, stated during an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 14th, "President Lee, who already held his inauguration ceremony on June 4th at the National Assembly, is reportedly holding another inauguration ceremony tomorrow (15th) under the name of the National appointment ceremony."
He continued, "It is hard to comprehend that on a meaningful day to celebrate the joy of liberation and honor the spirits of the patriots, a 'self-coronation ceremony' is taking place as if adding our spoon to the glory of the patriots." He emphasized, "More than anything, I want to question if the current situation is one where we can celebrate victory in the presidential election and ring the so-called 'Myeongbi Eocheongga.'"
Chairperson Song pointed out, "In just two months since President Lee's inauguration, South Korea is experiencing a failure in tariff negotiations, union claims being filed, corporations fleeing, gate-level financial crime allegations, and the pardon of shameless criminals like Cho Kuk and Yoon Mi-hyang, leading us down a path of worsening conditions." He added, "Holding a self-coronation ceremony in such circumstances is truly pathetic."
He noted, "Moreover, heavy rain is forecasted until this weekend, and a heavy rain warning has been issued in the western part of Seoul, putting many areas across the country at risk of flooding and landslides." He stated, "It is incredibly regrettable that, rather than focusing on the safety of the people, the president is preoccupied with preparations for his coronation ceremony."
President Lee will hold the National appointment ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square starting at 8 p.m. on the 15th. Previously, conservative parties, including the People Power Party and Reform Party, announced they would not participate in the National appointment ceremony in protest of the pardons of former representative Cho Kuk and former lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang. Former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, who were invited, are also not attending due to health reasons.