"X-Men Does Well, Thank You"... Oh Young-hwan's Controversial Remarks on Cho Kuk's Corruption as 'Custom'

"Joguk's Child Issue, Parents' Practices at the Time"
Opposition United in Criticism... "Distorted Mindset Is Regrettable"

Oh Young-hwan, the fifth talent recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea and a former firefighter, is giving a greeting speech at the recruitment event held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 7th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Oh Young-hwan (31), a former firefighter selected as the 5th talent recruit for the Democratic Party of Korea's general election, faced criticism as an "X-MAN" for referring to the allegations of admission fraud involving the children of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk as a "customary practice."

The term "X-MAN" implies an enemy disguised as an ally, and Oh's remarks were interpreted as potentially having a negative impact on the Democratic Party. The opposition parties immediately issued critical statements following Oh's comments.

On the afternoon of the 7th, Min Kyung-wook, a member of the Liberty Korea Party, posted on his Facebook, linking articles related to Oh and sarcastically wrote, "Good job, X-MAN, thank you."

Photo by Min Kyung-wook, captured from the Facebook page of a member of the Korean Party

On the same day, during a press conference held at the National Assembly, when asked about his thoughts on the "Cho Kuk situation" as a young person, Oh responded, "Many media outlets and the prosecution have excessively exaggerated the actions that all parents customarily took at that time based on leaked information."

He added, "Of course, there may be faults. But it is frightening to see some media magnify even minor faults, sowing distrust and suspicion among the public."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the prosecution's investigation into former Minister Cho, Oh said, "Since the case is under investigation, it is not appropriate for me to casually express my judgment and thoughts," but added, "This has become an opportunity to reconsider how fearful prosecutorial power is and why there needs to be a force to check it."

The opposition parties issued critical statements in response to Oh's remarks. Hwang Kyu-hwan, youth spokesperson for the Liberty Korea Party, said in a statement, "We expected Oh to represent the voices of South Korea's youth demanding fairness and justice, as well as firefighters who serve the nation with sweat, but his distorted way of thinking is deplorable."

Kim Jung-hwa, spokesperson for the Bareunmirae Party, also stated in a comment, "The Democratic Party's talent recruitment, which cannot distinguish between custom and illegality, is becoming more and more ridiculous," adding, "(The recruited talent) should not become a special talent who rationalizes injustice without a sense of guilt, a mere 'yes-man' for vested interests who only looks decent."

Lee Jong-cheol, spokesperson for the New Conservative Party, said, "One cannot help but ask whether the Democratic Party's talent recruitment criteria require agreement with unfairness and injustice," and questioned, "Whether a person with such perceptions can represent young people sensitive to justice is doubtful."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.