Japanese Media, Yoon Seok-yeol "Nawabari" vs Cho Kuk "Oyabun"... Introducing the 'Japanese Language Dispute'

Asahi "South Korean Presidential Election, Rival Candidates Clash Over Japanese Language Use" Report

An article on the 'Japanese language dispute' between former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, reported by Japan's Asahi Shimbun. Photo by Asahi Shimbun website capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Japanese media are drawing attention by introducing a Japanese language exchange that took place between former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk.

On the 14th, Asahi Shimbun reported in an article titled "South Korean Presidential Election, Archrivals Exchange Words in Japanese" that former Yoon used the word "nawabari" (?張り) while criticizing the ruling party, and his "archrival" former Minister Cho responded by using the Japanese word "oyabun" (親分), attracting attention. "Nawabari" means setting boundaries by stringing ropes, referring to a "territory of influence," while "oyabun" refers to a "boss" or "leader," someone relied upon like a parent.

Asahi reported that former Yoon criticized the Democratic Party of Korea at a press conference held in Gwangju on the 11th, saying, "We must prosper through the noble sacrifice made 40 years ago," and accused the party of treating Gwangju as their "nawabari" for decades but doing nothing for it, which provoked a backlash from former Minister Cho.

The article further explained that the "noble sacrifice 40 years ago" mentioned by former Yoon refers to the military's violent suppression of students and citizens demanding democratization in Gwangju in May 1980, which eventually led to democratization in 1987.

It also noted that politicians from the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party pride themselves on inheriting the Gwangju democratization movement, and that the Democratic Party enjoys high approval ratings in Gwangju.

Asahi reported that former Minister Cho posted on his Facebook that "Yoon Seok-yeol, who used the Japanese word 'nawabari,' possesses an 'oyabun' mindset."

Asahi added that these two words are mainly known in Korea as terms used by Japanese organized crime groups (yakuza) and appear in drama and movie dialogues.

In this context, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi sarcastically remarked, "Having dealt with gangsters all his life, has his speech style become like theirs? It seems his sentiment still remains in that 'nawabari.' How about returning to being the 'oyabun' of the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution and continuing to investigate organized crime?"

Asahi explained that former Minister Cho, while in office, tried to push for prosecution reform but faced resistance from former Prosecutor General Yoon, who was then the head of the prosecution, and that Cho's criticism likened Yoon to a gang boss.

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