Hwang Kyo-ik: "'Pro-Japanese Frame' Is a Twisted Word... It's a Matter of My Character and Survival"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Hwang Kyo-ik, a taste columnist nominated as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, rebutted the controversy over 'favoritism appointments' directed at himself and Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung on the 18th, saying, "The candidate for president is a right I secured through my own ability."

In a post on Facebook that day, Hwang referred to calls for his resignation from some political circles, saying, "If you are not fascists, please do not recklessly deprive citizens of their rights."

He also clearly drew the line on the voluntary resignation theory raised by some. He said, "I was very angry all day yesterday because of Lee Nak-yeon's pro-Japanese frame," adding, "The pro-Japanese frame Lee Nak-yeon threw at me is different in nature from the frame thrown by Ilbe users on the internet. Lee Nak-yeon is a prominent politician who even served as Prime Minister. He is a political power who can destroy everything about me." Hwang said, "This is a matter of my character and survival, so I cannot help but fight," and added, "Even if I lose, I will lose with dignity. So please do not tell me to step down."

On CBS radio that day, Hwang said, "'Pro-Japanese frame' is twisting, cutting, and distorting words to label me like Goebbels," and explained, "'Yakiniku' as a term, the word 'soyuk' possibly being translated as 'bulgogi'?that was what I said. Erasing all that and saying 'bulgogi came from yakiniku' is a frame created by Ilbe users who cut and twisted my words."

He raised his voice, saying, "I felt a personal sense of betrayal," and demanded, "Lee Nak-yeon should apologize for the personal insult." Regarding speculation that his academic connection with Governor Lee, both alumni of Chung-Ang University, influenced his nomination as president, he explained, "What I hate most is academic, regional, and blood ties. I do not attend alumni meetings," and added, "I have seen (Governor Lee) a few times but never had a meal together."

Regarding the controversy over 'favoritism appointments' stemming from his 2018 remark that he "understood" Governor Lee's 'brother-in-law curse' controversy, he recalled, "After that, I faced tremendous political attacks." He said, "Radical Moon supporters called dozens of times a day to all places related to me, telling them not to give me work, disrupting my activities."

In response to concerns raised within Lee Jae-myung's camp about the need to withdraw his nomination, Hwang said, "They may worry, but even if I step down, the negative attacks will still continue." He stated, "I have no intention of becoming a victim of negativity," and mentioned, "Even if the president's grandfather comes, I have no intention of giving up my rights," repeatedly dismissing the possibility of voluntary resignation. Regarding the issue of disclosing the evaluation sheets, he said, "If possible, it is okay to disclose them."

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