[Summary] "'One-eyed' is not derogatory to disabled" to Choo Mi-ae... Lee Sang-min and Jang Hye-young "Apologize"

Choo Mi-ae "One-eyed not meant to refer to visually impaired"
Lee Sang-min "Criterion for derogatory judgment is how the other party perceives it"
Jang Hye-young "It is indeed a derogatory remark about disability"

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae is facing controversy over using the term 'one-eyed' in a process of defending broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, which has been criticized as discriminatory against people with disabilities. Former Minister Chu denied the allegations, saying, "It is not discrimination against people with disabilities," but on the 26th, Lee Sang-min of the Democratic Party and Jang Hye-young of the Justice Party once again urged former Minister Chu to apologize.

Lee, a five-term lawmaker, opened his statement on his Facebook post that day by saying, "Former Minister Chu said that 'one-eyed' was not meant as a derogatory term and that some politicians misread and distorted the context. I wondered if it was worth responding, but I feel compelled to make a few remarks as follows."

He questioned, "She argued that 'one-eyed' is in the Korean dictionary and therefore not a derogatory term, but then how do we explain words like 'limping' or 'dwarf,' which are also in the dictionary?"

He continued, "The criterion for judging whether something is discriminatory, hateful, or derogatory depends on how the other party perceives it," pointing out, "It is the same principle as the standard for sexual harassment being based on the feelings of the victim."

He added, "Has former Minister Chu considered how people in such a condition would feel about the expression? She has been a leading advocate for the Anti-Discrimination Act, so I recommend that she not just shout slogans for political decoration but also study the content thoroughly," he sharply criticized.

Lee also said, "If she wanted to point out media bias, why not just say 'biased' instead of unnecessarily adding the term 'one-eyed'? Adding a derogatory expression was needless," and criticized, "Since media bias has a negative connotation, likening it to 'one-eyed' is clearly derogatory."

Furthermore, he urged, "Persisting in stubborn claims despite being criticized is not wise but obstinacy. Such behavior hurts not only herself but others as well," and called on her to "correct it quickly and apologize."

Lee Sang-min, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the same day, Representative Jang also posted on her Facebook, saying, "Former Minister Chu's remarks defending 'News Factory' as a media outlet that reports with 'both eyes' while likening other media to those reporting with 'one eye' is indeed discriminatory against people with disabilities," and pointed out, "The dictionary meaning of 'one-eyed' is not the issue, but the use of 'one-eyed' as a metaphor for something less valuable or biased compared to 'both eyes' is the problem."

She added, "Former Minister Chu should reflect on her use of discriminatory language against people with disabilities in the process of publicly expressing her political views and sincerely apologize to the public," saying, "'My expression was inappropriate'?that one sentence would be enough."

Earlier, on the 23rd, former Minister Chu claimed regarding criticism of TBS radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' "It is wrong to criticize 'News Factory,' which reports with both eyes, unlike media that report with one eye."

Jang Hye-young, Justice Party member. [Image source=Yonhap News]

This sparked criticism from the ruling coalition as 'discriminatory language against people with disabilities.' Lee said, "I earnestly assume that former Minister Chu did not intend to discriminate against people with disabilities by using such a low-level expression," but urged, "Since it is undoubtedly wrong, she should apologize promptly."

Representative Jang also pointed out, "Discriminatory remarks against people with disabilities by politicians across party lines have been repeatedly made despite being pointed out."

She continued, "One can express their political views without using discriminatory language against disabilities," and said, "As former Minister Chu has publicly emphasized the necessity of the Anti-Discrimination Act multiple times, I hope she accepts criticism of her discriminatory language and behavior and shows a model example of improvement."

As the controversy grew, former Minister Chu posted on Facebook, stating, "I criticized the bias of the 'one-eyed media' that turns a blind eye to the truth and colludes with vested interests," and expressed "deep regret over some politicians' misreading and distortion."

She also mentioned the dictionary meaning of 'one-eyed,' arguing, "One-eyed does not refer to people with visual disabilities and is certainly not discriminatory against people with disabilities." She added, "I have aimed for a world of equality without discrimination between people with and without disabilities and have strived to practice this politically·and institutionally."

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