Kim So-yeon Criticizing Lee Jun-seok: "Apologize for Low-Level Language... Matched the Level of the Person to Advise"

"When Politicians Forget Their Duty, Colleagues Must Sternly Rebuke Them to Find Their Right Path"

Attorney Kim So-yeon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Lawyer Kim Soyeon, who had harshly criticized Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, calling him a "attention-seeking idiot," apologized on the 26th for her remarks, saying, "It seems many people were shocked by my messy and intense language."

Kim, head of the Daejeon City Party's Administrative Monitoring Team for the People Power Party, wrote on her Facebook that day, "As someone holding a public party position, a practicing lawyer, and a proud working mom in the Republic of Korea, even if I was imitating a low-quality person’s words, using a vulgar term that also disparages people with disabilities was wrong regardless of the reason," she said.

She added, "I accept the reprimands and criticism humbly and apologize deeply," and said, "I will refrain from using such language unless there is a special reason in the future."

Earlier, Kim caused a stir by posting a critical message about Lee on her Facebook the previous day. She targeted Lee, saying, "This guy who doesn’t even grasp what position and role he has and only does attention-seeking acts is called an 'idiot' (sangXsin)," and criticized him further, "He lost three times but talks as if he knows all about politics, the biggest idiot among idiots."

As the controversy grew, Kim criticized, "Our country is one where a person who mixes disability-disparaging remarks while cursing and criticizing the leader of the main opposition party in front of many young people for hours is the leader of the first opposition party," and added, "In a country where the freedom of expression of public figures is respected like this, ordinary citizens get sued and harassed even when stating facts about public figures including the president or first lady."

She continued, "Even if the public’s eyes and ears are momentarily displeased, even if my image is temporarily damaged, I spoke using the terms the person himself used to deliver a sharp warning most effectively for our citizens and party members who long for a regime change," she said.

Furthermore, Kim said, "When politicians forget their duties, especially those in high positions, I believe the people and colleagues must sharply reprimand and check them so that the party and the country can find their proper path," and pointed out, "Sometimes, those who don’t know fear, don’t understand their roles, and act like celebrities causing noise alone need to be given shock therapy in a louder and stronger way."

In conclusion, she said, "There must be someone who properly scolds and disciplines politicians who are arrogant and self-centered, ignoring the gentle advice of senior lawmakers," and added, "Even if not using vulgar language, I want to let you know that I am ready to take on the villain role again whenever it is for the country and the people," ending her statement.

Meanwhile, Kim was previously involved in controversy last year during Chuseok when she hung a banner in the Daejeon area that read, "Warm hearts for Hangawi, the moon to the window (Yeongchang)."

The lyrics "the moon to the window (Yeongchang)" come from the German song "Mozart’s Lullaby," where Yeongchang (映窓) means window. However, here "the moon" is a nickname for President Moon Jae-in, and "Yeongchang" is reminiscent of the military prison "Yeongchang (營倉)," causing a stir.

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