Wild, ‘diplomatic catastrophe’ frame offensive…與 “Korea is the only country that has condolence diplomacy”
Prime Minister Han said, “The budget is not reflected that way”
Prime Minister Han “IRA violates the provisions of the Korea-US FTA”… ‘Pelosi passing is the cause’ argument dismissed
On the 20th, the second day of the Yun Seok-yeol administration’s first regular parliamentary meeting, the ruling and opposition parties made a violent rupture over the controversy over the ‘cancellation of condolences’ by President Yoon Seok-yeol, who visited London to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of England.
In the question of the government held on the subject of foreign affairs, unification, and security that day, the controversy over the budget for the new guesthouse continued for the second day.
Opposition lawmakers also pointed out that the government’s response was insufficient while criticizing the US government’s position on the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which is controversial regarding discrimination once morest Korean electric vehicles.
◇ “The leaders of other countries pay their respects on foot” vs “It’s not a situation to go on foot”
The Democratic Party of Korea launched an offensive by citing French President Emmanuel Macron, who traveled on foot to pay condolences, aiming to explain that President Yoon was unable to pay his respects on the day of his arrival in London due to traffic conditions.
Rep. Min Hong-cheol asked, “It has been reported that leaders of other countries pay their respects even on foot, even if the traffic is congested.
Kim Byung-joo, a member of the same party, also said, “We are lowering our national dignity through ‘condolence diplomacy’ without condolences.”
In response, 1st Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong reiterated that the conditions for smooth movement were not good, saying, “It was not a situation where I might walk on foot.”
The ruling party regarded the opposition’s claim that it was a ‘diplomatic disaster’ as a political struggle and refuted it.
Rep. Shin Won-shik from People’s Power said, “It seems that there is no other country other than the Republic of Korea that argues regarding the Queen’s condolences as a ‘diplomatic failure’.
◇ The second day of the ‘Young Guest House Budget’ workshop… Prime Minister Han dismisses allegations of involvement in ‘Mrs. Kim’
The controversy over the budget for a new guesthouse, which was the subject of a fierce battle between the ruling and opposition parties in the first question regarding the government the day before, continued on this day.
Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People’s Power, asked the Prime Minister, “Was the new guesthouse construction project ordered by Mrs. Kim Kun-hee?”
In a commentary on the 16th, Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom asked the government’s position on the statement, “People remember that Mrs. Kim said, ‘As soon as you enter the Blue House, you should move the guesthouse.'”
Prime Minister Han replied, “The budget cannot be reflected that way. I am well aware that once the budget is submitted to the National Assembly, it will be reviewed by the standing committee, the pre-decision committee and the plenary session.”
The Democratic Party continued to raise suspicions that the new guesthouse construction was hastily given that the prime minister said he “didn’t know” regarding the controversy over the budget for the new guesthouse in a question regarding the government the day before.
Rep. Kim Young-bae asked, “If the Prime Minister did not know during the process of passing the budget bill, who in the world ordered the Ministry of Finance to include this budget?”
Prime Minister Han replied, “I look at the level of financial soundness that[the budget plan]has secured macroscopically with interest.”
◇ One voice in the criticism of the IRA… Another voice on the cause of ‘Pelosi passing’
The opposition parties, who were in conflict over the current issue, pointed out with one voice the injustice of the US measures regarding the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which caused controversy over discrimination once morest Korean electric vehicles.
When Rep. Yoon Sang-hyeon, from the People’s Power, asked if discrimination once morest electric vehicles made in Korea violates the most-favored-nation provision of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Prime Minister Han said, “According to legal review, it seems to be a violation.”
Independent lawmaker Yang Jeong-sook’s inquiry that ‘the move by the United States also seems to go once morest the security alliance between the two countries’, Prime Minister Han agreed, saying, “It is clearly once morest the principle of free trade.”
However, the failure of President Yoon to meet with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Korea last month has drawn a line on the argument that the IRA may have had an impact on discrimination once morest Korean companies.
Prime Minister Han said, “I have communicated with the White House, but it has nothing to do with Pelosi. explained.
/yunhap news