Hwang Kyo-ik on Resignation Rumors: "I Won't Give Up Even if the President's Grandfather Comes"

Food Columnist Hwang Gyo-ik Appointed as President of Gyeonggi Tourism Organization... 'Boeunseong' Controversy
"The Rights I Secured, No One Can Tell Me to Give Up"

Taste columnist Hwang Kyo-ik has been nominated as the president of Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, an institution under Gyeonggi Province, sparking controversy.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Hwang Kyo-ik (59), a food columnist embroiled in controversy over a 'favoritism appointment' following his nomination as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, dismissed resignation rumors on the 17th, saying, "Even if the president's grandfather came, I cannot talk about giving up my rights."

On the same day, Hwang appeared on JTBC's 'Newsroom' in the afternoon and said, "I am currently a candidate for the president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization after going through a legitimate application process, including document screening and interviews. No one can tell me to give up the rights I have secured."

He pointed out, "Why do politicians tell me to give up my rights as a citizen? They should not treat cultural figures carelessly like that."

Regarding former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon's disparaging remark that Hwang is "someone suited for the Tokyo or Osaka tourism organizations in Japan," he explained, "The pro-Japanese frame was imposed on me after I declared support for President Moon Jae-in. The far-right groups opposing President Moon launched a political offensive."

He added, "'I have never said that Japanese food is better than Korean food.' Yet such rumors circulate," and said, "From the Democratic Party's perspective, it is like bringing the enemy's knife and stabbing Hwang Kyo-ik, who can be seen as a person of the Moon Jae-in administration, in the back."

Meanwhile, in response to criticism that he became a favoritism appointment by defending Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung's sister-in-law's curse controversy, Hwang said, "What I dislike most is considering school ties, regional ties, and blood ties. I have lived a life that thoroughly rejects these three ties that have ruined the Republic of Korea."

He emphasized, "I have never formed ties with Governor Lee through alumni associations or anything like that. And the phrase 'Let's understand Lee Jae-myung' dates back to 2018," adding, "If it were a matter of owing a favor, it should have been done already."

He rebutted, "The president position at the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization has been vacant for nine months. If so, the position would have been offered to me earlier," and said, "I am not in a position to owe any favor to Governor Lee."

Hwang also sarcastically said, "Governor Lee and I have probably met about four times in our lives," and "We have never had a meal together. If that level of relationship is called being close, then I am close to all the people of the Republic of Korea."

Meanwhile, Hwang is scheduled to appear at the Gyeonggi Provincial Council's confirmation hearing on the 30th. If the council adopts the confirmation report, Governor Lee will appoint him as president for a three-year term early next month. The president position at the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization has been vacant since the previous president resigned last December.

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