[Politics, That Day...] The Origin of 'Samgyeopsal Bulpan', a Sharp-Witted Roh Hoe-chan Hit Work

Statement during KBS Late Night Debate on March 20, 2004, before becoming a National Assembly member
'Pleasant Check' likening entrenched politics against public sentiment to swapping pork belly plates

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min]

Editor's Note‘Politics, That Day...’ is a series that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures that deserve attention.

Noh Hoe-chan, floor leader of the Peace and Justice Party members' group, is giving a greeting speech at the 'National Assembly Negotiation Group Floor Leaders Invitation Constitutional Amendment Issue Debate' hosted by the Korea Broadcast Journalists Club on April 19, 2018, at Sejong Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Politician Roh Hoe-chan was famous for his sharp and witty language. Among politicians throughout history, if one were to choose a ‘master of TV debates,’ he would rank among the top. His greatest strength was explaining politics in the language of the public. His unique use of metaphors to convey his messages was undoubtedly the best.

The most widely known example of politician Roh Hoe-chan’s sharp wit is the so-called ‘Samgyeopsal grill’ story.

“The Grand National Party and the Democratic Party, you have worked hard until now. It is time to step down. Our people also need to replace the rotten grill that has been used for 50 years. If you keep grilling pork belly on the same grill for 50 years, the meat will turn black. It’s time to change the grill.”

Among Korean adults, is there anyone who has not eaten pork in front of a Samgyeopsal grill? Even grilling just a pound or two of pork will blacken the grill, so what would happen if you keep grilling meat on the same grill for 50 years? Wouldn’t it naturally make you think that it’s time to change to a new grill?

Politician Roh Hoe-chan emphasized the need for change in Korean politics through the Samgyeopsal grill metaphor. Many have heard of his Samgyeopsal grill remark, but few know when and in what context he made such a statement. The Samgyeopsal grill story dates back to March 20, 2004, before Roh Hoe-chan was even elected as a member of the National Assembly.

On that day, a late-night debate program on KBS was held, and politician Roh Hoe-chan was one of the panelists representing the five political parties of the ruling and opposition blocs. The Grand National Party was represented by Assemblyman Kim Young-sun, the Millennium Democratic Party by Assemblyman Kim Kyung-jae, the Uri Party by Assemblyman Song Young-gil, the United Liberal Democrats by Seo Jun-won, the district party chairman, and the Democratic Labor Party by Roh Hoe-chan, the secretary-general.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

To understand the context of his remarks, attention must be paid to the political environment at the time of the KBS TV debate. It was a period when public sentiment was shaken by the National Assembly’s passing of the impeachment motion against President Roh Moo-hyun. The Grand National Party and the Millennium Democratic Party led the approval of the impeachment motion. The Uri Party actively opposed it but was overwhelmed.

At that time, the majority public opinion was strongly negative toward the 16th National Assembly members who impeached the president elected by the people, as their terms were about to expire. The KBS late-night debate was arranged after the impeachment motion was passed.

With the 17th general election (April 15, 2004) approaching, both ruling and opposition parties were keenly attentive to the flow of public sentiment. Due to the backlash from the impeachment, support for the Grand National Party and the Democratic Party was at rock bottom, while support for the Uri Party soared above 50%.

Politician Roh Hoe-chan did not spare harsh criticism not only for the Grand National Party and the Democratic Party but also for the Uri Party.

He said this to the Uri Party:

“The Uri Party was just dragged out of the National Assembly on March 12, 2004, yet it is problematic that their support rate is at 50%... (Party support rates) are not based on a fair evaluation of what the Uri Party has done but rather like finding a wallet on the street and getting lucky, which I think should be reported to the police.”

When politician Roh Hoe-chan said it was like getting lucky by finding a wallet, the other debaters laughed. It was clearly a criticism, but his unique metaphor made it awkward to respond with a serious rebuttal.

He intensified his criticism toward the Grand National Party and the Democratic Party, condemning their forceful push for President Roh Moo-hyun’s impeachment.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

“The Grand National Party and the Democratic Party bear great responsibility. The Democratic Party said it was a conditional impeachment, which sounds like they would not have impeached if there had been an apology. If an apology would have ended it, why impeach the president? What’s the difference between this and delinquent students stabbing with a weapon just because someone didn’t apologize after bumping into them on the street?”

“You say the impeachment was passed in the National Assembly according to the Constitution, but you must clearly understand that public sentiment is above the Constitution and laws. Even if you get two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly, you cannot pass anything arbitrarily. The crowd gathered in Gwanghwamun with candles is telling us that no constitutional amendment can be made without the consent of the people.”

The Samgyeopsal grill remark from 17 years ago was both a criticism of the entrenched parties and a hopeful message for new politics. At the time of the KBS late-night debate, politician Roh Hoe-chan was not yet a member of the National Assembly, but he entered the legislature through the 17th general election.

The 10 seats won by the Democratic Labor Party in 2004 remain the best general election result for progressive parties to this day. Politician Roh Hoe-chan played the role of a leading progressive party politician in the National Assembly, based on his unique sharp language. He is no longer with us.

June 23 marks the third anniversary of politician Roh Hoe-chan’s passing.

Why do so many people miss him regardless of their party support preferences?

Perhaps it is because of the regret over the absence of his ‘pleasant checks and balances’ toward real-world politics.

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