[Comprehensive] After consecutive gaffes on 'murderer' and 'gender sensitivity training' by the ruling party... Opposition demands "Resign"

Noh Young-min "Rally Organizers Are Murderers"
Minister of Gender Equality "By-Election Is a Chance for Gender Sensitivity Learning"
Repeated Gaffes Draw Fierce Criticism from Opposition: "Unqualified", "Should Resign Voluntarily"

No Young-min, Chief of Staff to the President, is deep in thought during the National Assembly's Steering Committee meeting held on the 4th, which included the audit of the Presidential Secretariat, National Security Office, and Presidential Security Service. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As ruling party figures who appeared before the National Assembly have caused controversy with a series of gaffes such as calling people "murderers" and referring to "gender-sensitivity learning," political conflicts surrounding these remarks continue. The opposition, including the People Power Party, launched fierce attacks demanding accountability and resignation over the statements.

No Young-min, Chief of Staff to the President, sparked controversy on the 4th during the National Assembly's Operating Committee's Blue House audit by stating, "The organizers of the August 15 Liberation Day rally are murderers."

On that day, when Park Dae-chul, a People Power Party lawmaker, pointed out, "I get goosebumps when I see the Jaeinsanseong incident. The police confined citizens in a COVID-19 hotspot by bus, and President Moon Jae-in praised the police," No strongly rebutted, saying, "Because of this incident, a large number of confirmed cases and many deaths occurred."

When Park again criticized, "They did not maintain social distancing with barricades and increased the infection rate," No responded emotionally, "People even died, and you are defending them? The rally organizers are not thieves but all murderers." He raised his voice, adding, "More than 600 confirmed cases resulted solely from the unauthorized Liberation Day rally," and "Seven people died from the infection."

After the audit resumed, No expressed regret, saying, "I never called the people murderers. I think it was an excessive expression."

The People Power Party criticized No's remarks as inappropriate.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement the previous day, "Such reckless remarks make us question the qualifications of the Chief of Staff to the President of a country," and asked, "Does calling the people murderers reflect President Moon's intentions?" She added, "It even feels chilling that those who do not support them are unnecessary," demanding, "The shameless Chief of Staff has no right to remain in that position."

Seong Il-jong, a member of the same party's emergency committee, said at the emergency committee meeting that day, "The Chief of Staff's role is to assist the President and convey his intentions," and criticized, "The term 'murderer' is a classic example of the arrogance and pride with which this administration treats the people."

Kim Jong-in, chairman of the People Power Party's emergency committee, also told reporters after the emergency meeting that No's remarks were "inappropriate." Lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook wrote on her Facebook, "Although the rally was subject to criticism for non-cooperation with national quarantine policies, labeling our people as 'murderers' shows how thoroughly the Blue House distinguishes the people as 'our side and the enemy.'"

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Lee Jung-ok is responding to questions from lawmakers at the plenary session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News

Following No, Lee Jung-ok, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, stirred controversy by referring to the April by-elections for Seoul and Busan mayors, held due to the sexual misconduct issues of the late Park Won-soon, former Seoul mayor, and Oh Keo-don, former Busan mayor, as "an opportunity for the entire nation to collectively learn gender sensitivity."

On the 5th, during the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee's comprehensive policy questioning, when Yoon Joo-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, asked, "838 billion won will be spent on the election; have you considered the impact on victims or women?" Lee replied, "I think it is an opportunity for the entire nation to collectively learn about gender sensitivity through an incident that requires a large budget."

The opposition immediately criticized Lee's remarks.

Hwang Gyu-han, deputy spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "This statement makes us question the very reason for the existence of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," and raised his voice, "Minister Lee is no different from a secondary perpetrator. She should step down."

An Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People Party, said, "I am speechless at such an absurd remark," sarcastically adding, "To improve the nation's gender sensitivity level, she might as well actively engage in sexual harassment and scandals."

The Justice Party also issued a condemnation statement the same day, saying, "Is Minister Lee, who called the by-elections caused by power-related sexual crimes an opportunity for national collective learning, really the Minister of Gender Equality and Family?"

Jung Ho-jin, chief spokesperson for the Justice Party, strongly criticized, "Such words cannot be spoken with a sound mind, and she even considered the ruling party's mood," adding, "The Minister of Gender Equality and Family should be attentive not to the ruling party but to women who are victims of sexual violence and those exposed to the risk of sexual violence in South Korea."

Jang Hye-young, floor spokesperson for the Justice Party, demanded, "The person who truly needs gender-sensitivity learning is Minister Lee herself, who uttered such reckless words," and said, "Minister Lee, who reduced the by-elections to a mere learning tool without any consideration for sexual crime victims, must immediately apologize to the victims."

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