Korea's opposition party openly backs Hong Kong's 'democracy movement'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sun, December 3, 2023 | 20:39

Foreign Affairs

Korea's opposition party openly backs Hong Kong's 'democracy movement'

Posted : 2019-06-16 14:26

Updated : 2019-06-16 20:49

Protesters hold placards as they attend a demonstration demanding Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam step down and withdraw the extradition bill in Hong Kong, June 16. Reuters

Protesters dressed in black take part in a rally against a controversial extradition law proposal in Hong Kong on June 16. AFP

A man holds up a yellow umbrella as protesters dressed in blacktake part in a rally against a controversial extradition law proposal in Hong Kong on June 16. AFP

By Jung Min-ho

Bareunmirae Party spokesman Lee Jong-cheol

The minor opposition Bareunmirae Party has become Korea's first political party to officially support Hong Kong residents' anti-extradition protests.

"We hear the strong echo of the cry of a Hong Kong headed toward freedom and democracy," party spokesman Lee Jong-cheol said Friday. "Authorities in Hong Kong should not suppress their righteous demands."

As many as a million Hong Kong residents ― equivalent to one in seven of the population ― marched last Sunday against the proposed law, which would allow the extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China.

Authorities say the bill is needed to enable a Hong Kong man to be sent to Taiwan, where he allegedly killed his girlfriend. But critics say it would also enable Chinese authorities to exert their influence on all Hong Kong residents, including politicians, by leveling false accusations and demanding their extradition.

Koreans back Hong Kong citizens' fight against extradition bill

2019-06-14 16:47 | Politics

Protesters dressed in black take part in a rally against a controversial extradition law proposal in Hong Kong on June 16. Reuters

The Bareunmirae Party also criticized authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China for violently quashing the people they have painted as "mobs."

"It is obvious that Hongkongers came out to the streets because they felt their freedom was under threat," Lee said. "Their rights to free speech and free assembly must be protected.

"We will continue to listen to their voices, knowing that democracy is important to them as much as it is to us (Koreans)."

Following massive protests across Hong Kong, its chief executive Carrie Lam announced the bill's indefinite shelving.

mj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr

Top 10 Stories

1	INTERVIEWEcolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management

2	Major conglomerates speed up generational shifts in leadership

3	PPP slams abstainers in Assembly resolution on China's forced return of NK defectors

4	KOICA’s global supporters conclude remarkable journey with grand finale show

5	Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant

6	INTERVIEW'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights

7	INTERVIEWKorea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change

8	Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report

9	Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite

10	Korea vows to foster nuclear energy to achieve net zero

Top 5 Entertainment News

1	JYP to host annual audition in January

2	Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International Festival

3	INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup

4	ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene

5	INTERVIEWASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater

DARKROOM