Ryu Ho-jeong: "Hwang Kyo-ik Advised Me to Be Human First... Told Me to Endure as I Will Soon Become a Public Figure"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Ryu Hyo-jung, a member of the Justice Party, mentioned that taste columnist Hwang Kyo-ik, who has become the center of controversy over his appointment to the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, once belittled tattoos as children's scribbles. She said, "A promising tattoo artist who provided me with tattoo stickers had to unjustly endure mysterious criticism. Mr. Hwang, you will soon become a public figure, won't you? Endure it."

On the 18th, Ryu posted on her Facebook, saying, "The appointment of taste columnist Hwang Kyo-ik as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization is causing a stir."

She said, "I am a resident of Gyeonggi Province. I found Hwang Kyo-ik's appointment refreshing," adding, "If he is the president of the organization, I believe he can promote our Gyeonggi Province's tourism resources attractively," praising Hwang.

Ryu pointed to the heated Democratic Party primary as the reason for the controversy surrounding Hwang's appointment. She continued, "Internal conflicts within one party should not be a reason to deprive a democratic citizen of their rights," and firmly opposed the criticisms calling him "someone who just introduced restaurants" and "Osaka Tourism Organization."

Revealing an anecdote with Hwang, Ryu said, "Hwang, who kindly advised Ryu Ho-jung to study Korean, lectured her to become a human being first, and belittled the tattoo on her back as children's scribbles, now labels Lee Nak-yeon's people as beasts and so-called extreme Moon factions as demons." She added, "I endured it because I am a public figure, but a promising tattoo artist who provided me with tattoo stickers had to unjustly endure mysterious criticism."

Furthermore, she advised, "Mr. Hwang, you will soon become a public figure. Endure it. I support you."

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker (back view), is holding a press conference on June 16 at the National Assembly, urging the enactment of tattoo legislation together with tattoo artists. On this day, Representative Ryu conducted the press conference with a tattoo sticker drawn by the famous tattoo artist Bami attached to her back.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, after proposing the Tattoo Industry Act, Ryu performed a demonstration in June by attaching tattoo stickers to her back to urge the bill's passage. In response, on June 17, Hwang posted on his Facebook, saying, "I have no aversion to tattoos," but added, "However, the tattoo stickers Ryu Ho-jung wore are worse than children's scribbles no matter how generously you look at them. Since the back is wide, a large tattoo in the center should stand out to make a 'picture,' but all are small, making the whole look shabby."

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