"Hardworking Koreans" US Lawmaker Sparks Controversy Over Racist Remarks

"Many Achievements from the Bottom by Koreans"
Remarks at Confirmation Hearing of Lucy Go, Nominee for Federal Appellate Judge
Asian Lawmakers Criticize "Racial Stereotyping May Lead to Abuse"

Senator Chuck Grassley [Photo by AP News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley has been embroiled in controversy over alleged racist remarks regarding Lucy Go (Korean name Go Hyeran), the nominee for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

According to the Huffington Post, Republican Senator Grassley stated during the Senate confirmation hearing for nominee Go on the 6th (local time), "Koreans are hardworking and have achieved much from the bottom up."

Senator Grassley said that his daughter-in-law told him this and added, "I congratulate you and your people," addressing nominee Go.

Grassley's remarks came after mentioning that nominee Go's mother, a second-generation Korean American, escaped from North Korea in 1946 and recalling her difficult upbringing in Mississippi during the 1970s.

Democratic Representative Judy Chu immediately opposed Grassley's remarks. Representative Chu argued, "Even if it was meant as a compliment, attributing characteristics to a specific ethnicity is prejudice."

Lucy Go, Nominee for U.S. Federal Appellate Judge

She continued, "Treating all members equally is important because holding some members responsible for the actions of others can lead to abuse. Even if it does not incite violence, it is equally harmful," expressing concern.

Representative Chu's argument can be interpreted in connection with the spread of anti-Chinese sentiment into hate crimes against the entire Asian community.

Representative Chu is of Chinese descent and serves as the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

On social media, there was an outpouring of criticism that Senator Grassley's remarks were inappropriate, accusing him of defining nominee Go not as an American but as a member of a specific race.

Liz Cooper criticized on her Twitter that Senator Grassley does not even recognize that his remarks were racist.

Catherine Eichhaus called Senator Grassley's office to protest that the remarks were arrogant and racist but was only told, "We will convey your message to the senator," which left her outraged.

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