◀ Anchor ▶
Governor Kim Yeong-hwan of North Chungcheong Province, who said he would “become a pro-Japanese” while defending the government’s plan to compensate victims of forced mobilization by Japan, is being hit by public opinion every day.
The explanation, “It was ironic and not a matter of apology,” rather fueled the fire, and Governor Kim’s external official schedule was delayed or canceled one after another, and the wave is not easily subsiding.
Reporter Jeong Jae-young reports.
◀ Report ▶
[김영환/충북지사 (지난 7일)]
″I am willing to become pro-Japanese today.″
This is what Chungbuk Governor Kim Yeong-hwan praised the government’s third-party reimbursement plan for forced labor as a “big decision.”
He expressed his request for apology and repentance to Japan as ‘begging’, and said that there was no need for it.
Hundreds of comments were posted on this video, and Prime Minister Han Deok-soo also left a message saying, “Thank you for your words of encouragement.”
There was opposition from civil society organizations including the opposition party, but
″No need for a pro-Japanese governor! I condemn Governor Kim Young-hwan.”
Governor Kim’s response rather fueled angry public opinion.
[김영환/충북지사 (지난 9일)]
″I don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t understand the irony of being pro-Japanese, or who doesn’t understand the Korean language.″
He also posted on his SNS every day and refused to apologize.
However, as public opinion pours in, Governor Kim seems to fall into a trap.
I was scheduled to visit Jecheon City this afternoon, but it was canceled due to opposition from the civil servants organization.
The daily exchange work with the governor of Chungcheongnam-do, which was scheduled for the 16th, was also canceled, and the business agreement for mutual growth, which was scheduled to be signed with Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon on the 17th, was postponed without a promise.
The civil servants’ union went further and decided to block external schedules until Governor Kim apologized for the “pro-Japanese remarks.”
[최상규/공무원노조 충북지역본부장]
″Because we believe that making a circuit visit to cities and counties and meeting with citizens while maintaining this position is no different from secondary harm……」
Governor Kim announced that he would sue Lim Ho-seon, chairman of the Democratic Party’s North Chungcheong Province party, saying that he “sold him as a pro-Japanese and defamed him,” but changed his position to “hold” within a day.
This is Jung Jae-young from MBC News.
Video editing: Kim Hyeon-seop (Chungbuk)
