[앵커]
I wonder if the attack needs to go this far, but the Democratic Party has escalated its attack by even calling First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo a ‘Japanese bastard’. Although he explained that he could not salute the national flag because he could not see the Taegeukgi, he even submitted a resolution requesting his dismissal. The opposition party seems to believe that the pro-Japanese frame works, but the ruling party counters that the former president sometimes saluted and sometimes did not.
This is reporter Choi Won-hee.
[리포트]
The controversy began at the official welcoming ceremony held during President Yoon Seok-yeol’s visit to the Czech Republic on the 19th.
The national anthem is being played, but unlike other personnel, National Security Office First Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo is not saluting the national flag.
The President’s Office countered by citing the Enforcement Decree of the National Flag Act of the Republic of Korea, saying, “If you cannot see the national flag, stand at attention,” and “It is not helpful to the national interest to turn it into a political dispute.” However, the Democratic Party continued its offensive day after day.
Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok even used the crude expression ‘Japanese’, saying, “Are the president and others who saluted the national flag idiots for breaking the rules?”
Kim Min-seok / Supreme member of the Democratic Party of Korea
“Is the President’s Office the one that excuses such anti-national acts? It is, in a word, crazy.”
Previously, 52 Democratic Party members also submitted a resolution demanding the dismissal of Deputy Director Kim.
The People Power Party criticized, “Stop the anachronistic behavior of calling out pro-Japanese people every time you open your mouth.”
Yoo Yong-won / People Power Party member
“It was an incident caused by a mistake, but I think it’s excessive to ask for his dismissal based on that.”
Deputy Minister Kim did not salute the national flag when the President of the United Arab Emirates visited Korea last May, but he did so during his visit to Kazakhstan last June and during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Korea in May of last year.
This is TV Chosun Choi Won-hee.
