Controversy Over Yoon's Pledge Book 'Ottoke' Expression... Ruling Party Says "Strategy to Exploit Gender Conflict for Gain"

Baek Hyeryun "Yoon is Lee Junseok's Avatar"
Won Heeryong "Apologize for Controversy... Immediate Deletion of the Word and Dismissal of the Person in Charge"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is appealing for support at the 'An Era of Fairness and Common Sense with Youth!' rally held on the afternoon of the 15th at Jeolm-eum Street in Seomyeon, Busan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Wooseok] It has been reported that the misogynistic expression 'Ottoke' was included in the pledge book of Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, sparking controversy.

According to political circles, the judicial reform pledge briefing materials announced by candidate Yoon on the 14th included the phrase, "There are also criticisms that police officers ignored the crime at the scene while saying 'Ottoke'" in relation to the police's lukewarm response to the Incheon stabbing incident that occurred last November.

Part of the reference material for the judicial reform pledge of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. Photo by People Power Party

'Ottoke' is a mocking term implying that women, in urgent situations, take no action and only repeat the phrase "What to do." It is an expression often used to disparage female police officers, suggesting that female officers merely stand by without taking active measures at crime scenes.

In response to this controversy, the Democratic Party strongly criticized, saying, "Are they trying to profit by riding on gender conflict?"

Baek Hyeryun, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's presidential campaign committee, stated in a briefing, "Misogynistic expressions were blatantly used," and questioned, "Is this a strategy to gain advantage by exploiting gender conflict again because approval ratings have dropped?"

She added, "It feels like the shadow of Lee Jun-seok, who has ridden on gender conflict rather than youth politics," and raised her voice, saying, "It is clear that candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is Lee's avatar, who divides the youth."

Meanwhile, Won Heeryong, head of the policy headquarters of the People Power Party's election campaign, apologized through a press notice, saying, "We apologize for the inclusion of the word 'Ottoke' in the judicial reform briefing materials," and stated, "The word was immediately removed from the materials and the person responsible was dismissed."

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