"Lee Nak-yeon, 'Fits with Japanese PM' vs Hwang Kyo-ik, Osaka Tourism Organization... 'Pro-Japan Frame' Dispute"

Mutual Dispute Erupts Over Controversy Surrounding Hwang Kyo-ik's Nomination as President of Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is attending the Imperial Court Banquet hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace (Kokyo) on October 22, 2019 (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's nomination of food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization has sparked controversy, and on the 17th, Hwang and former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon engaged in a heated exchange.

On the 17th, Hwang stated on his Facebook, "The dirty framing by the political world is being directed at me, and it is coming from the camp of Lee Nak-yeon, a leading presidential candidate of the Democratic Party."

He continued, "Ilbe members have long tried to frame me as pro-Japanese, and those with different political views have attacked me using this frame. I will return the pro-Japanese frame thrown at me to Lee Nak-yeon. I have seen a photo of him at a meeting with Japanese politicians wearing a tailcoat, which is the 'uniform' of Japanese politicians. Lee Nak-yeon suits the role of the Japanese Prime Minister," he claimed.

In response, former Representative Lee expressed displeasure during a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office after announcing policy pledges, saying, "It is not worth commenting on." Regarding the controversy over Hwang's nomination, Lee said, "I will refrain from mentioning that issue."

Taste columnist Hwang Kyo-ik and former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon engaged in a heated debate on the 17th regarding Hwang's nomination as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Shin Kyung-min, former Democratic Party lawmaker and co-deputy head of Lee Nak-yeon's campaign, said in an interview on CBS Radio's on the morning of the 17th that Hwang was "more suited for the Tokyo or Osaka Tourism Organization in Japan." Shin criticized, "(Hwang) highly praises Japanese food and often makes comments that Korean food is a derivative or copy," adding, "With such perceptions, I seriously doubt whether he can manage any tourism organization, especially the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization."

In 2018, Hwang sparked a 'pro-Japanese' controversy by claiming that bulgogi originated from Japanese yakiniku. At that time, he said on Facebook, "While researching the origins of Korean food, I was filled with self-disgust," adding, "Street foods like bungeoppang and pulppang all originated during the Japanese colonial period. When I confirmed the originals in Japan, I even cursed, wondering what Joseon was doing."

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