Eogigu and Oh Keo-don... 'Landslide Victory' for the Democratic Party in the General Election, Followed by Controversies of Verbal Abuse and Sexual Harassment

Oh Keo-don "Apologizes for Unnecessary Physical Contact" Abruptly Resigns as Busan Mayor
'Swearing Controversy' Eo Gi-gu "Deeply Sorry... Great Mistake Using Inappropriate Language"
Future United Party "Said 'Will Be More Humble' but Became More Arrogant"

Former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don is announcing his resignation at a press conference held at Busan City Hall on the morning of the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The Democratic Party of Korea is struggling with a series of morality controversies involving its members. Since their landslide victory in the April 15 general election, the Democratic Party has repeatedly emphasized humility. However, less than ten days after the election, internal party figures have emerged who resigned from mayoral positions due to sexual harassment incidents and even made offensive remarks toward voters, putting the Democratic Party under criticism.

On the 23rd, former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don admitted to sexual harassment and abruptly resigned. Oh held a press conference at Busan City Hall at 11 a.m. that day, stating, "During a brief five-minute meeting with one person, I engaged in unnecessary physical contact. I realized that this could be recognized as forced sexual harassment, which should never be done." He added, "Regardless of the severity, no words or actions can excuse this," and declared his resignation, saying, "Continuing to serve as mayor is not the right thing to do as the Mayor of Busan."

Some have raised suspicions that Oh coordinated the timing of his resignation to be after the general election. Since the issue could have negatively affected the election results if it had surfaced beforehand, there are suggestions of possible involvement by the ruling party leadership.

As the controversy spread, the Democratic Party quickly moved to contain the situation by announcing plans to expel Oh. Yoon Ho-jung, the Democratic Party Secretary-General, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in the afternoon, stating, "The Democratic Party has maintained a zero-tolerance policy regardless of rank or status for incidents related to sexual misconduct such as sexual harassment," and "Under this principle, immediate disciplinary procedures will be initiated." After the press conference, Yoon told reporters, "I was completely unaware of this until this morning, not only before the April 15 general election. This was not discussed with the party."

Lee Hae-chan, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, the Democratic Party emphasized 'responsibility' after securing a solo majority for the first time in 16 years in the 21st general election. On the morning of the 16th, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan said at a Future Election Countermeasures Committee meeting at the National Assembly, "Before the joy of victory, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility. It is time to be even more vigilant," urging, "We must observe public sentiment with greater humility and be especially careful with every word and action." Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon also emphasized at the party's election committee disbandment ceremony on the 17th that regarding the Democratic Party's attitude, "We must not show even a little arrogance, immaturity, hastiness, or confusion," and "We must always provide stability, trust, and balance (to the people)."

Despite the party leadership's emphasis on 'humility,' internal discord has continued since the election. Earlier, Democratic Party lawmaker Uh Ki-gu, who was re-elected in Dangjin, Chungnam, became embroiled in controversy on the 20th, just five days after the election, for making offensive remarks to voters.

At that time, a person identifying as a voter, A, posted text message exchanges with lawmaker Uh on an internet cafe. According to the disclosed messages, A told Uh, "Please align with the government and provide 70% of the disaster relief funds. It’s not just a one-time thing. Please consider the future as well. The people elected you to help the government." Uh replied, "Then you should be the president," to which A responded, "I’m telling you, lawmaker Uh, who was elected to the National Assembly, to do your job."

Another voter, B, also criticized Uh, saying, "Do your job properly. How can you speak rudely and threaten voters? You’re acting arrogantly just because you were elected." Uh responded with a text message saying, "You’re a damn bastard. Voters should act like voters."

Eo Gi-gu, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Dangjin, Chungnam, is giving a broadcast interview at his election office on the night of the 15th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the controversy grew, on the 22nd, lawmaker Uh apologized on his Facebook page, saying, "I caused great concern to the people who cherish and love our party, especially the citizens of Dangjin who have high expectations for me," and admitted, "I lost my composure for a moment and made a serious mistake by using inappropriate language." He added, "After the issue became controversial, I spent two full days in deep reflection," and apologized, "Regardless of the reason, I deeply apologize for causing concern to many people due to my inappropriate language."

Meanwhile, there is also a party member who caused a scandal due to drunken assault. Byeon Ki-seop, former chairman of the Hoengseong County Council and a member of the Democratic Party, got into an argument with retired Hoengseong County Office official C during dinner on the evening of the 18th and assaulted C by throwing a bottle. Subsequently, on the morning of the 21st, he held a press conference announcing his resignation from the chairmanship and his withdrawal from the Democratic Party.

Given these circumstances, voices criticizing the Democratic Party for showing arrogance after their landslide election victory are emerging. Kim Sung-won, spokesperson for the United Future Party, said in a statement on the 24th, "'We will be more humble' turned into being more arrogant. They said they feel a 'fearful and heavy responsibility,' but they only commit fearful and heavy crimes," and criticized, "The people are disappointed and frustrated with the Democratic Party, which is intoxicated with victory and indifferent to the public sentiment they vowed to respect."

Criticism has also come from within the party. On the 24th, Democratic Party spokesperson Song Gap-seok appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and called the issues that have arisen one after another after the landslide victory "a very wrong appearance." He added, "As the party prepares for the 21st National Assembly, workshops and training sessions for the elected members will emphasize this. This will be a new opportunity not only for first-term lawmakers but for all elected members and party officials."

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