Ruling and opposition parties showed differing views on the 7th over President Lee Jae-myung and his wife, Kim Hea-kyung, granting on a cooking entertainment show. The ruling party said the presidential couple showed passion for promoting K-food, while the opposition said, "Being at a disaster site is what helps people's lives," in criticism.
On this day, Park Soo-hyun, senior spokesperson of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, said on Facebook, "The broadcaster's Chuseok special production intent of 'K-food promotion through OTT (over-the-top service)' was clear, and with every word from the president and first lady, there was overflowing passion for 'the spread, export, and industrialization of K-food.'"
By contrast, Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the opposition People Power Party, said at a movie theater in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, "Granting on an entertainment show does not help people's lives; being at a disaster site is what helps people's lives."
Jang's remarks appear to target the president's comment the same day on social media (SNS): "At times, even if I must give my liver and gall, and endure finger-pointing and misunderstandings, if I can be of even a handful of help to people's lives, I will refuse nothing."
The Democratic Party filed a complaint that day with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency accusing Jang of defamation by publicly alleging false facts. Earlier, the presidential office detailed President Lee's response following the National Information Resources Service fire, and the party says Jang's calling that account a lie constitutes spreading false information.
Meanwhile, the presidential couple took part on Aug. 28 in recording a JTBC special episode of "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" to promote K-food. The recorded segment aired on the Chuseok holiday on the 6th. The People Power Party criticized them, saying they recorded a cooking entertainment show amid the national computing network paralysis incident.