"Let's Accept Refugees" Met with Verbal Abuse... Jang Hye-young Says "Stop the Violence"

"Verbal Abuse and Personal Insults Are Going Too Far"
"Some Staff Members Have Even Sought Psychiatric Counseling"

Jang Hye-young, Justice Party member. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 23rd, Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker, appealed to "stop the violence" in response to excessive criticism directed at her.

On that day, Jang posted on her Twitter, saying, "From the Anti-Discrimination Act to discussions on accepting refugees, the verbal violence and personal insults hurled at my office staff by those calling to protest have gone too far."

She added, "What makes me even angrier is that those who shower female staff with all kinds of curses suddenly change their tone when a male staff member answers the phone," criticizing, "Let's not live like that."

She continued, "Some staff members are exhausted from enduring all kinds of personal attacks and are receiving psychiatric counseling," expressing, "It is heartbreaking that staff members have to suffer such pain just because they work with a lawmaker who advocates for citizens' human rights."

Earlier, on the 20th, Jang stated on her Facebook, "We need to start discussions to prepare measures for South Korea to accept even some Afghan refugees."

She emphasized, "Our Republic of Korea, which was the first in Asia to enact a Refugee Act, has a role to play," and added, "The government and the National Assembly should express their willingness to actively participate in the efforts of the United Nations and the international community, including humanitarian aid to countries surrounding Afghanistan that accept refugees."

Jang also said, "At the very least, by accepting families with pregnant women, children, and their families, we should open a path for international solidarity," and added, "It is difficult, but if we can be the first to show courage, there will surely be a ripple effect."

This has led to criticism from netizens. One netizen commented, "Do you not understand why Europe opposes refugees? Due to COVID-19, our citizens are already struggling enough. Also, there are already over 3 million multicultural residents in the country. Support for them is not even adequate, so why do you say we should accept more Afghan refugees?"

Other netizens also responded with comments such as, "There are concerns about crime," "I feel sorry for the refugees' situation, but the country is already in turmoil due to various problems. Shouldn't we leave a safer country for the next generation? We should not accept refugees," and "I understand their difficult circumstances, but it's problematic. They should go to another country."

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