Disability Groups Say "Choo Mi-ae's 'One-Eyed' Remark Is Discriminatory... Calls for Apology"

Controversy Over 'Oenun' Expression Spreads... Choo "It's Not Derogatory"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae has been embroiled in controversy over derogatory remarks against people with disabilities after using the term 'one-eyed' while defending broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. On the 26th, a disability organization pointed out that "it is indeed a derogatory remark against people with disabilities."

On this day, the Korea Federation of Organizations of the Disabled sharply stated, "Former Minister Chu should sincerely apologize to the people with disabilities who may have been hurt by this remark."

The organization said, "Former Minister Chu claims there was no intention to insult. However, listeners may feel offended, and it can deepen socially incorrect perceptions," adding, "using inappropriate terms can lead to negative misunderstandings about disabilities. Also, the explanation that there was no intention might appear as if 'it's acceptable to use such terms if there is no intention.'"

Furthermore, "we are truly angry at the behavior and words that claim it is not wrong because there was no intention," they said, "we hope Former Minister Chu sincerely apologizes to people with disabilities and their families even now. People with disabilities are waiting."

Earlier, Former Minister Chu mentioned TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' which has been embroiled in political bias controversy, on her Facebook on the 23rd, saying, "'News Factory' is not politically biased; the problem is that other media outlets are caught up in media commercialism," she criticized.

She continued, "It is wrong for media outlets that cannot enjoy free editorial rights and report with one eye to criticize 'News Factory,' which reports with both eyes."

Regarding Former Minister Chu's 'one-eyed' remark, criticism arose within the political sphere that it was a "derogatory remark against people with disabilities."

Lee Sang-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker who had polio in childhood and has difficulty walking, said, "I try to assume that Former Minister Chu did not intend to insult people with disabilities by using such a low-level expression, but since it is undoubtedly wrong, I hope she quickly corrects it and apologizes." Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker with a sibling who has developmental disabilities, also pointed out it was a "disability hate remark" and urged an apology.

In response, Former Minister Chu posted again on Facebook, stating, ""I pointed out the bias of the 'one-eyed reporting media' that turns a blind eye to the truth and colludes with vested interests," she rebutted. She added, "Lawmakers Jang and Lee misread the context and distorted my meaning," expressing "deep regret."

She also referred to the meaning of 'one-eyed' in the Korean dictionary, emphasizing, "One-eyed does not refer to people with visual disabilities, and it is certainly not a derogatory remark against people with disabilities."

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