Political parties split on 1st anniversary of candlelight protest

SEOUL, Oct. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean political parties on Saturday spoke with different voices on the first anniversary of the massive candlelight protests that led to the ouster of corruption-tainted former President Park Geun-hye earlier this year. The ruling Democratic Party said the candlelight protest contributed to the country's pride that will be remembered in the history of the world's democracy, while the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, where Park still holds a membership, remained silent. "A year ago, South Korea overcame the old past and people were united under a belief that we have to make a nation of principles," said Kang Hoon-sik, the ruling party spokesman. "With the Moon Jae-in administration that is born from the 'candlelight spirit,' we will make a new history for the country." On Oct. 29, 2016, tens of thousands of citizens gathered at Gwanghwamun Square and called for Park to resign over the corruption scandal involving her and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil. An accumulated 17 million people joined the weekend rallies until late April. The Democratic Party previously said Choo Mi-ae and Woo Won-shik, its chief and floor leader, respectively, will attend the anniversary event as part of their "private" schedules. While the Liberty Korea Party had no comment on the anniversary of the massive candlelight protests, two minor opposition parties released statements that urged the Moon government to listen to the voices of the people at the candlelight protests. "We hope the first anniversary of the candlelight protests will lead us to cooperative governance and embracement," said Son Kum-ju, a spokesman for the liberal People's Party. "The government and the ruling party should open the doors for opposing voices as well, because they are also people in this country." The splinter conservative Bareun Party said that the actions of the Moon administration are not in line with the candlelight spirit. "The Moon administration claims that it is born from the candlelight, but no one gave it permission to act like it is the candlelight itself," said the party spokesman Lee Jong-chul. "We want a country where people can unite and that's the wish from people who welcome the first anniversary of the candlelight protest." kdon@yna.co.kr (END)