Controversy Erupts Over Former Chairman’s Remarks on Sinking of South Korean Navy Ship Cheonan

▲ Choi Won-il, former captain of the Cheonan (left) and Kwon Chil-soon, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party

On the 5th, civic activist Lee Rae-kyung, who was appointed chairman of the reform committee to reform the party in South Korea’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his intention to resign about nine hours after his appointment, but the decisive decision was made. The cause was his past remark that “the South Korean navy patrol ship Cheonan was sunk by a suicide bomber, and that it was sunk is a fabrication.” On February 10, Lee Rae-kyung posted on the social networking service (SNS) “Facebook” about the self-destructed Cheonan.

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▲ Choi Won-il, former captain of the Cheonan (left) and Kwon Chil-soon, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party

On the 5th, civic activist Lee Rae-kyung, who was appointed chairman of the reform committee to reform the party in South Korea’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his intention to resign about nine hours after his appointment, but the decisive decision was made. The cause was his past remark that “the South Korean navy patrol ship Cheonan was sunk by a suicide bomber, and that it was sunk is a fabrication.” On February 10, 2019, Lee Rae-kyung wrote on Facebook, a social networking service (SNS), that the US hegemonic force had destroyed inter-Korean relations by fabricating the Cheonan suicide bombing incident. This completely denies the fact that Cheonan was sunk by North Korea.

As soon as Mr. Lee Rae Kyung’s claims were reported, criticism flooded in. Captain Choi Won Il, who was the captain of Cheonan at the time of the sinking incident, posted on Facebook, “Together, President of the Democratic Party. March 6th = Memorial Day for Korean Martyrs and Fallen Soldiers) I have certainly received a present.” Surviving soldiers will be visiting to see you.” At the same time, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung was questioned by reporters at the National Assembly, saying, “The government’s announcement on the Cheonan incident is an official announcement, and I trust that announcement. ” and set out to settle the situation. Regarding Lee Rae Kyung’s controversial past remarks, he said, “Until that point, we didn’t seem to know the exact content.”

However, in an interview with the Korean newspaper Hankyoreh on the afternoon of the same day, Mr. Lee Rae-kyung said about the Cheonan suicide bombing and fabricated remarks, “I spoke as an example of one assumption or hypothesis,” and “My view is that the cause is unknown. ‘ said. This reiterated the previous assertion that it may not have been sunk by North Korea.

In response, former captain Choi Won-il posted again, saying, “The public party representing the people is appointing such a person as the chairman of the reform committee and saying, ‘What is wrong?’ ,” he retorted. Then, Kwon Chil-soon, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, said at a press conference in the afternoon that when asked about this, he said, “How did the former captain of Cheonan lower his head when he said such things?” I’m amazed to hear that while I’m at it,” he replied. The chief spokesman also said, “I think the captain shouldn’t get off the ship.” This is taken to mean that former captain Choi Won-il is responsible for the sinking incident of Cheonan. When this remark caused controversy, press secretary Kwon Chil-soon quickly issued an opinion statement, saying, “I fully sympathize with the raising of the issue of the bereaved families and surviving soldiers of Cheonan, but the commander must also feel responsibility. This is due to the idea that the dimension is different.” However, there are voices pointing out that this is an “inconsistent explanation” even within the party.

Democratic Party officials have repeatedly made conspiracy-theoretic claims that the sinking of the Cheonan was not the work of North Korea, and that they have shifted the blame to former captain Choi Won-il. Cho Sang-ho, vice chairman of the party’s legal committee, said in a program in June 2021, “(Former captain Choi Won-il) buried his subordinates at sea while he was promoted.” , was controversial. There are voices in the political world saying, “Isn’t the Democratic Party’s “real intention” about the “Cheonan” scandal revealed once again? Former captain Choi Won-il told the newspaper by telephone, “I can’t understand that the chief spokesperson of the first opposition party would say something like driving a nail into the chest of a surviving soldier during the month of honors to protect the nation.” We will take legal action,” he said.

Reporter Park Sang-gi

Chosun Ilbo / Chosun Ilbo Japanese version

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