"Except for those used as food, all animals on Earth should disappear..." Yoon's side Jang Ye-chan apologizes for controversial remark 10 years ago

"Blow Up the Animal Hospital"
Gominjeong Condemns Jang Ye-chan's Statement from 10 Years Ago
Jang Ye-chan Apologizes, Saying "I Was Immature and Reckless"

Jang Ye-chan, Head of the Youth Headquarters of the People Power Party Election Countermeasures Headquarters. / Photo by Head Jang, captured from Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Go Min-jung, co-chair of the Animal Rights Committee of the Democratic Party's Election Countermeasures Committee, issued a statement on the 11th condemning animal-related remarks made 10 years ago by Jang Ye-chan, head of the Youth Headquarters of the People Power Party's presidential campaign, known as an aide to presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol.

In February 2012, Jang posted on his Facebook, "I want to blow up the animal hospital on the first floor of the office." He also commented on the post, "I wish all animals on Earth except those for consumption would disappear."

In response, Rep. Go shared a screenshot of Jang's problematic remarks on Facebook and posted a critical statement. She defined Jang's comment, "I wish all animals on Earth except those for consumption would disappear," as a "reckless remark that aligns exactly with Yoon Seok-yeol's perception that 'dogs for consumption are separate.'"

Regarding Jang's "blow up the animal hospital" remark, she criticized it as "a threat and insult to 20,000 veterinarians working hard at frontline animal hospitals for 15 million pet owners and their pets, as well as countless animal rights activists." She then urged, "Jang, who disregards countless pet families, must immediately resign from his position. And candidate Yoon must take responsibility for his reckless remarks and apologize humbly."

A post that Director Jang left on his Facebook in February 2012. / Photo by Director Jang, Facebook capture

In response, Jang immediately posted, "No matter how young I was at the time, I think I was immature and reckless. I will not make excuses. I sincerely apologize to those who were shocked by this."

However, Jang expressed displeasure toward Rep. Go, saying, "Thank you for going through the trouble of finding immature remarks I posted on SNS (social networking service) in my early to mid-20s 10 years ago."

He then targeted candidate Lee Jae-myung, asking, "But Rep. Go, what do you think about candidate Lee Jae-myung, who used the adopted stray dog Haengbok for promotion during his time as mayor of Seongnam and then ignored it as soon as he was elected governor of Gyeonggi Province?"

He added, "As an apology for my immature SNS posts from 10 years ago, I will start volunteering at a stray dog shelter from this weekend and reflect on my actions," and "I will think and act twice or three times harder to expand animal rights and establish an advanced pet culture."

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