DP slams Yoon, Han’s meeting at fire site as ‘political show’

SEOUL, The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday lambasted President Yoon Suk Yeol's meeting with ruling party chief Han Dong-hoon at the site of a market fire a day earlier, branding it as a staged political maneuver. On Tuesday, Yoon and Han of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) met at a fisheries market destroyed by a massive blaze in the western county of Seocheon, apparently seeking to repair their relationship after clashing over allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee and election nominations. "Holding a sort of political show against the backdrop of suffering citizens is inexcusable, even if they try to justify it," said Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the DP, during a party meeting. Video footage from the site showed Yoon shaking hands with Han, considered one of his closest confidants since their time as prosecutors, and tapping him on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. Han reciprocated with a deep bow as a courtesy and a smile. "It is deeply regrettable to use the disaster site as a decoration for the scene of reconciliation after a power struggle," said Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, the DP's floor leader. Both Lee and Hong criticized the meeting again as an attempt to divert attention from an investigation into allegations that first lady Kim received a high-end bag as a gift in 2022, urging Yoon's office and the PPP to agree to appointing a special prosecutor. The impromptu reunion seemed to convey a message of reconciliation after the controversy started with Han's public support for a PPP emergency leadership committee member seeking to run for a parliamentary seat in a district in Seoul's Mapo Ward last week. Yoon reportedly objected to what appeared to be a violation of the principle of fair nominations by Han. Adding to the controversy, Han stated his position that while the video footage of the first lady accepting the Christian Dior bag was a premeditated hidden camera trap, there were "aspects that the people could be worried about," and the issue should be "considered from the people's perspective." Hong added that in the case of Kim, the matter concerning the luxury bag should not just end with an apology, saying it is fair and common sense to uncover any illegal acts through an investigation. Source: Yonhap News Agency