Controversy over the 'Myeolgong Challenge' with Yoon saying "Foods We Often Eat"... Lee Jun-seok Calls It "Excessive"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, shopping at E-Mart. / Photo by People Power Party

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, recently commented on the 'Myeolgong Challenge' spreading among party members, saying it is "excessive."

On the 10th, Lee met with reporters in front of the party leader's office at the National Assembly and said, "Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol responded lightly and wittily to the fact that he often eats anchovies and beans, but I think the Myeolgong Challenge, which is carried on by those who closely observe every move of the candidate, is excessive."

He added, "In a situation where the candidate's policy moves are attracting attention, I hope the surroundings do not create an ideological agenda to gain interest."

He also pointed out, "If our candidate were truly a Myeolgong advocate, wouldn't he have held a press conference? The lighthearted and playful approach was taken too seriously by those around him."

Regarding criticisms that Yoon's recent pledges, such as the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and a monthly soldier salary of 2 million won, are skewed toward men in their 20s and 30s, he argued, "Nearly half of women perceive that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has reached the end of its lifespan," adding, "This can help secure a broader support base."

He continued, "(The soldier salary pledge) is not made solely by looking at the age group subject to military service, just as it could be assessed in a complex manner during the Park Geun-hye administration."

Meanwhile, earlier on the 6th, Chung Yong-jin, vice chairman of Shinsegae, posted a photo of a hangover cure on his Instagram with the hashtag 'Myeolgong.' Subsequently, Instagram deleted posts tagged with 'Myeolgong' citing 'guideline violations,' prompting Chung to protest by posting multiple posts with the hashtag.

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk criticized this, saying it was "almost at Yoon Seok-yeol's level."

In response, the next day, candidate Yoon visited Emart, operated by Chung, and posted a photo of himself buying eggs, green onions, anchovies, and beans. He also left hashtags that seemed to refer to Moon Jae-in supporters with 'Dalpa' and to Myeolgong with anchovies and beans.

Following this, the People Power Party saw a series of so-called 'Myeolgong Challenges' involving anchovies and beans. Former floor leader Na Kyung-won posted photos on Instagram of shopping at Emart, buying anchovies and beans.

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung also posted on a family-operated Instagram account a photo of a breakfast tray with side dishes including rolled eggs, clear soup with green onions, stir-fried anchovies, and seasoned beans.

Former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae mentioned 'Myeol-Kong' and wrote, "How about a joint Myeolgong campaign?" People Power Party lawmaker Park Soo-young also posted photos of eggs, green onions, anchovies, and beans on Facebook.

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