[Comprehensive] From 'Joseon Concubine' to 'Busan Hansim'... Controversial Remarks in Politics Ahead of By-Elections

So Su-jin Sparks Controversy Comparing Ko Min-jung to a 'Joseon Dynasty Concubine' on the 26th
Park Jae-ho: "Busan Citizens Only Worry About the Country Because They Watch Certain Media"
Calls for Self-Reflection Emerge Within Political Circles
Park Young-sun: "Politics Should Be About Mutual Respect"
Kim Geun-sik: "Politics Can Also Fail Because of Words"

So Su-jin, Member of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the by-elections for the Seoul and Busan mayoral offices approach, some lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties have sparked controversy over so-called 'reckless remarks.' Voices calling for self-reflection have emerged in the political sphere with the intention of "creating a culture of debate where parties respect each other."

Earlier on the 26th, People Power Party lawmaker Jo Su-jin stirred controversy by comparing Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung to a "Joseon Dynasty concubine," sparking a backlash over her remarks.

On that day, Rep. Jo opened fire by saying, "Go Min-jung, whom the Moon Jae-in administration cherished and loved, mocked former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was her rival in last April's general election," adding, "I have once again confirmed the true nature of the person named 'Go Min-jung.'"

She continued, "Just before the election, the ruling party's floor leader said in Gwangjin District, Seoul, 'If Go Min-jung is elected, 1 million won will be given to every citizen.' This is what you call a money politics election," and criticized, "Even a concubine in the Joseon Dynasty who bore a prince would not have received such treatment."

The ruling party immediately pushed back against Rep. Jo's 'concubine remark.' The person involved, Rep. Go, announced legal action against Rep. Jo in a post on Facebook on the 27th, saying, "Some may tell me to endure it, but I have no intention of doing so."

Ko Min-jung, Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

The Democratic Party continued its fierce condemnation of Rep. Jo on the 28th. Chief spokesperson Choi In-ho said, "Rep. Jo made unprecedented remarks that a member of the National Assembly should never make, and then made outrageous remarks that no one can follow," adding, "People Power Party should at least take disciplinary action by expelling her from the party."

Additionally, Democratic Party lawmakers Kwon In-sook and Park Sang-hyuk submitted a disciplinary proposal against Rep. Jo to the National Assembly Secretariat that day. This is the ninth disciplinary proposal submitted in the 21st National Assembly and the second among People Power Party lawmakers, following Rep. Yoo Sang-beom.

Meanwhile, on the 29th, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jae-ho sparked controversy with remarks saying, "People in Busan watch JoongAng Ilbo, TV Chosun, Channel A, and others too much, so they only worry about the country," which led to a new controversy over reckless remarks from the ruling party side.

Park Jae-ho, Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, People Power Party spokesperson Bae Jun-young targeted Rep. Park, saying, "He insulted Busan citizens by saying they only watch certain media," and criticized, "This revealed the pitiful awareness of the Democratic Party."

He added, "This by-election is being held due to the resignation of former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, a Democratic Party member, following sexual harassment allegations," and criticized, "Nevertheless, the Democratic Party shamelessly fielded a candidate and disparaged Busan and insulted its citizens. There is no sign of remorse."

Amid the controversy caused by reckless remarks from some lawmakers of both parties ahead of the by-elections, voices calling for self-reflection have emerged within the political community.

Park Young-sun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups and a candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election, appeared on YTN Radio on the 28th and said, "It is natural to criticize and debate when opinions differ, but if it escalates into metaphorical language, nitpicking, or reckless verbal disputes, it becomes mutual disparagement," adding, "I hope politics will become a place where people respect each other from now on."

Kim Geun-sik, a professor at Gyeongnam National University and a preliminary candidate for the Seoul mayoral election from the People Power Party, also wrote on Facebook that day, "When pointing out the opponent's mistakes, it should be harsh and painful, but dignified and graceful to be effective and powerful," emphasizing, "Politics is the art of words, but it is also politics that can be ruined by words."

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