Democrats hit back at ruling party leader over criticism of president's US AI trip

The Democratic Party has sharply criticized People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk for his remarks questioning President Lee Jae-myung's "San Francisco AI Declaration" during his recent U.S. visit. Jang had previously criticized the president's trip, stating that Lee was "idly touring" while "retail investors' accounts were being wiped out" in a "stock market gambling den" created by the Lee administration. He dismissed the AI declaration as mere "obvious talk," especially given the government's perceived inability to negotiate trade deals effectively.

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The sight of someone who returned empty-handed from the U.S. in April pointing fingers at the government fighting on the front lines of national interest is embarrassing.

In response, the Democratic Party accused Jang of hypocrisy, reminding him of his own diplomatic mission to the U.S. in April, which was widely criticized as yielding no concrete results. "The sight of someone who returned empty-handed from the U.S. in April pointing fingers at the government fighting on the front lines of national interest is embarrassing," said Democratic Party spokesperson Park Kyung-mi.

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Is this what you call 'obvious talk'? Why go all the way to San Francisco to say obvious things? Why go to the U.S. when you can't even negotiate a tariff agreement properly?

The Democrats defended the significance of President Lee's AI initiatives, emphasizing the potential for substantial investment and job creation. "The scale of semiconductor AI cooperation that our companies and global big techs have decided to pursue through this tour is a staggering $950 billion, approximately 1,375 trillion won," Park stated. She characterized these agreements as "contracts for national wealth that determine South Korea's future industries and jobs."

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The scale of semiconductor AI cooperation that our companies and global big techs have decided to pursue through this tour is a staggering $950 billion, approximately 1,375 trillion won. Are these 'obvious things' to Representative Jang's eyes? These are contracts for national wealth that determine South Korea's future industries and jobs.

Park further questioned Jang's credentials to criticize the current administration's diplomatic efforts, recalling his April trip with fellow party member Kim Min-soo. Their visit was marred by controversy over photos taken in front of the U.S. Capitol, leading to accusations of merely sightseeing. Jang's claim of meeting a U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State was also disputed, with reports indicating he met a lower-ranking official. The Democratic Party suggested Jang's criticism stemmed from "inferiority complex" and a desire to tarnish the current government's achievements, urging him to remember his own "pathetic 'selfie diplomacy.'"

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Representative Jang's 'qualifications' cannot be questioned. Returning empty-handed without a single tangible achievement, pointing fingers at the government fighting on the front lines of national interest is embarrassing. Forgetting his own pathetic 'selfie diplomacy,' insulting the fruits of the Lee Jae-myung government's efforts sounds like an admission of inferiority.