Lee Su-jeong: "'I also have a son in his 30s' remark... Not treating Lee Jun-seok like a child"

Lee Su-jeong criticizes Kim Byung-joon’s remarks likening Cho Dong-yeon to a brooch as "inappropriate"
"His comment 'I also have a son in his 30s' means he understands men's struggles well"

Professor Lee Su-jeong, Criminal Psychology, Kyonggi University. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Professor Lee Soo-jung, a co-chair of the People Power Party's joint election committee and a criminal psychology professor at Kyonggi University, criticized Kim Byung-joon, the standing co-chair of the election committee, saying that "it is inappropriate to compare a person to an object" regarding his 'brooch' remark. She also denied criticisms from some quarters that she treated Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, like a child, saying, "That was not my intention."

Earlier, on the 1st, Kim said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' about Cho Dong-yeon, the joint standing co-chair of the Democratic Party, "The Democratic Party tends to put on a kind of show regardless of substance," adding, "They wear something like a combat uniform and then pin a very pretty brooch on it."

In response, Go Yong-jin, the chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized the remark in a briefing the same day, calling it "an outrageous comment that dishonors the honor of South Korean soldiers and professional women." Kim then issued a statement clarifying, "It was not aimed at women but was a critique of recruiting people with flashy but superficial backgrounds."

Regarding this, Professor Lee was asked during an interview on MBC Radio's 'Pyo Chang-won's News High Kick' that night, "Kim's remark about Cho as a 'brooch on a combat uniform' caused controversy. Many have requested to know Professor Lee's thoughts."

Professor Lee responded, "It is inappropriate to compare a person to an object," but added, "In a world where it is difficult to take responsibility even for one's own words, I am not sure if I should be held responsible for what others say. I believe the proper order is to first investigate the circumstances and then express opinions accordingly."

She also denied some criticisms that she treated Lee Jun-seok like a child, saying, "That was absolutely not my intention." Professor Lee emphasized, "The host knows well that I am not someone with a 'bossy old person' image. I talk with graduate students every day. Especially, I understand better than anyone how hard male students struggle to start their social lives."

Earlier, on the 30th of last month, Professor Lee expressed her willingness to have a conversation with Lee on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' saying, "I also have a son in his 30s. I have closely observed the process he went through to grow up."

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae posted on his Facebook the same day, targeting Professor Lee, saying, "Lee is the leader of a public party. If you ignore him because he is young and then say you want to meet and talk, no one can be pleased."

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