Hamsowon 'Kimchi = Paocai?' Sparks Petition Demanding Her Removal from Broadcast

A petition to step down from broadcasting posted on the Cheong Wa Dae National Petition Board. Photo by Cheong Wa Dae National Petition Board screenshot

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Soyoung] Amid ongoing disputes between Korea and China over the origin of the traditional Korean dish "Kimchi," broadcaster Ham Sowon has sparked controversy by referring to kimchi as the Chinese pickled vegetable "Paochai (泡菜)."

On the 15th, a petition titled "Request to remove broadcaster A who called kimchi 'Paochai'" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petitioner wrote, "In January, during an Instagram live broadcast with her Chinese mother-in-law, A referred to kimchi as Paochai, which led viewers to demand a correction."

Although the petition did not specify the broadcaster's real name, netizens identified Ham Sowon, who appears on TV Chosun's Wife's Taste with her Chinese mother-in-law, as the person in question.

However, the petitioner stated, "After repeated criticism, the live broadcast was deleted, but there are many witnesses and evidence," adding, "During the Lunar New Year holiday when gatherings of five or more people were prohibited, they held a live broadcast speaking mostly in Chinese, and their continuous inappropriate remarks offended Koreans."

In response to the strong public backlash, including the Blue House petition demanding her removal from broadcasting, Ham Sowon posted a photo of kimchi on her social media with the hashtag '#Kimchi.'

Currently, Ham Sowon's Instagram is filled with comments such as "Kimchi is Korean food," "Why insist on calling kimchi Paochai?" "There is even a petition for removal; will this be brushed off again?" and "Kimchi is Kimchi even in English."

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