Lee Jae-myung, floor leader of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, condemned an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner on April 25, local time. He declared that indiscriminate violence and terrorism cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
Strong Response from Party Leadership
Chief spokesperson Kang Joo-won reinforced the stance during a briefing on April 26. He described the position as a sober assessment of the current situation, not a shift due to recent events. Kang noted that concerns have been conveyed directly to Trump administration officials and White House representatives.
Kang emphasized, “Forcing unity through violence is not a viable path. True progress requires bolstering foundations via bipartisan cooperation and democratic collaboration.”
Further Criticism of the Incident
Lee Jae-myung added that exploiting the event to justify further violence crosses a critical line. He stated the party is closely monitoring whether all sides restore core principles of peace and democracy.
What Happened at the Event
The disturbance occurred at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., during the WHCA’s annual dinner. Attendees hurled projectiles at former President Trump and his wife, sparking chaos and prompting urgent evacuations. A group of executives who had met with Trump earlier attended the high-profile gathering, which drew significant attention.
Key figures associated with Trump offered no immediate further comment on the matter.
