"'Hugung Remarks' Jo Su-jin Apologized to Go Min-jeong... Democratic Party Files Ethics Committee Complaint"

"Regret Over Controversy Contrary to Original Intent"
Post Removed and Direct Apology Made

Democratic Party: No Qualification as National Representatives for Mocking Fellow Lawmakers
In-sook Kwon and Sang-hyuk Park Submit Disciplinary Proposal

Rep. So Su-jin of the People Power Party Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Jo Su-jin, a member of the People Power Party who faced backlash for her ‘concubine remark,’ apologized to Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 28th, but the controversy has yet to subside. Despite Jo’s apology, the Democratic Party filed a complaint against her with the National Assembly’s Ethics Special Committee.

On the same day, Jo stated on her Facebook, "I regret that the criticism has become a controversy contrary to the original intent," and announced that she had taken down the post. She added, "It is unfortunate that the figurative expression has become a subject of controversy as an insult or misogyny, and a political dispute, contrary to its original intent. As a female lawmaker who advocates for the expansion of women’s political participation regardless of party lines, it pains me that this has become a political controversy."

On the 28th, Democratic Party lawmakers Kwon In-sook and Park Sang-hyuk submitted a disciplinary proposal against People Power Party lawmaker Jo Soo-jin to the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office for comparing lawmaker Go Min-jung to a concubine. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Earlier, Jo had mocked former Seoul Mayor Oh, who competed in the April general election last year against Go Min-jung, whom the Moon Jae-in administration cherished and loved, via Facebook. She said, "It is utterly vulgar," and added, "Even concubines in the Joseon Dynasty who bore princes would not have been treated like this," sparking controversy.

Despite Jo’s apology, the Democratic Party submitted a disciplinary proposal against her to the National Assembly’s Secretariat on the morning of the same day. Hong Jeong-min, the party’s floor spokesperson, said at the policy coordination meeting that politicians who mock fellow lawmakers and incite public conflict are not qualified to represent the people and that appropriate measures should be taken in the National Assembly. Go Min-jung filed a complaint at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, where Jo’s residence is located, the day before.

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