President Yoon's Liberation Day Speech Criticized by Opposition

Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's Liberation Day speech on August 15, calling it a "declaration of giving up on the people." In response, the ruling Democratic Party described the criticism as an unreasonable political attack that frames the government's vision as a failure.
 
After attending the Liberation Day ceremony at the Sejong Center, Jang posted on Facebook, stating, "President Yoon's August 15 speech is a declaration of giving up on the people."
 
He questioned, "He suggested we lower mutual threats but said nothing about North Korea's nuclear development and missile tests. When have we ever threatened North Korea?" He added, "Proactive and continuous peace measures ultimately mean we will disarm ourselves."
 
Park Seong-hoon, a senior spokesperson for the party, also commented, noting that just days earlier, North Korea had conducted ballistic missile provocations in the East Sea, directly threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula. He pointed out that the speech contained no firm warnings or effective deterrents against North Korea's military provocations.
 
He expressed concern over the insensitivity to the serious security reality.
 
In response, Jeon Soo-mi, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing, "Stop the unreasonable political attacks that frame the government's vision as a failure."
 
Jeon expressed deep regret over Jang's unfortunate rhetoric that turned the significant national occasion of Liberation Day into a stage for blind criticism, calling the main opposition party's attempts to undermine a grand vision to turn crises into opportunities petty and irresponsible.
 
He emphasized, "True security starts not from blind confrontation but from controlling the possibility of armed conflict and institutionalizing peace," urging the People Power Party to abandon its irresponsible promotion of security anxiety.
 
Jeon also highlighted that what the public desires is not obstruction for the sake of opposition but responsible politics that unites in the face of national challenges. He concluded by stating that the Yoon administration and the Democratic Party will achieve a 'Liberation of Hope' that rises from the frustrations of growth, a 'Liberation of Opportunity' that overcomes inequality, a 'Liberation of Balance' that ensures equitable development across the nation, and a 'Liberation of Peace' that removes the threat of war.