[Report] "It's Not a Profanity Banner" Citizens Sigh Over 'Corporate Card Beef' and 'Mudang Nara'

Lee Jae-myung "Yoon, Dooly Who Came Riding a Glacier" Criticizes Political Novice
Yoon Seok-yeol "Commander Tong Body, Lee Wan-yong" Sharp Metaphor
"Who Ate the 10 Servings of Sushi Bought with Legal Card, Beef?"
"Forces Stripping the Skin Off Living Cows"
Election Commission Broadly Allows Freedom of Expression Amid Concerns Over 'Offensive Banners'

The Election Commission recently allowed the use of phrases such as "Who ate the 10 servings of sushi bought with the corporate card?" and "Will you entrust the country to the forces that skin living cows?" on banners. Among citizens, there are complaints that they might be seeing so-called 'negative banners.' Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "You can't avoid seeing the banners, and if they have offensive language on them, it just doesn't seem right."

On the 25th, Mr. Kim, a man in his 40s whom we met in a busy area of Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, expressed his frustration over the negative exchanges emerging in the recent presidential election atmosphere. He said, "I can't really remember any talk about what policies they plan to implement for the people; all I recall is them exchanging harsh words." Mr. Kim criticized, "Seeing offensive language again on the banners really makes me sick of it."

The National Election Commission (NEC) has allowed phrases such as "Who ate the 10 servings of sushi bought with the government card?", "Would you entrust the country to those who skin living cows?", "We cannot turn the Blue House into a shamanistic shrine," and "Not only shamans but also Shincheonji, what nonsense is this?" to be quoted on banners, which is increasing voter fatigue.

With negative exchanges close to offensive language continuing daily not only at campaign venues but also in TV debates, if the content on banners also flows into negativity, there is a complaint that the policy competition for the people is practically disappearing.

On the 23rd, the NEC issued a press release stating that the operational standards for banners and placards used in the presidential election campaigns "are applied fairly and consistently regardless of party or candidate." It further explained, "Article 90 of the Public Official Election Act, which relates to the allowance of phrases, presumes that content that can be inferred to relate to a party or candidate is intended to influence the election, and there have long been criticisms and calls for reform that this excessively restricts the political expression freedom of the people."

During the April 7th by-elections last year, the NEC caused controversy by restricting words like 'Nae-ro-nam-bul' (double standards) and 'Spring' on party banners. Regarding this, the NEC stated, "We will continue to strive so that parties, candidates, and the public can empathize and trust," and expressed hope that "Article 90, which causes controversy every election, will be promptly amended."

The problem lies in the frustration of citizens watching the negative exchanges. As the economy has become difficult due to the impact of COVID-19 and other factors, instead of presenting visions on how to revive the strained livelihoods, the candidates continue to engage only in verbal battles close to offensive language by bringing up various suspicions.

On the 25th, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, attended the 2nd political field broadcast debate for the 20th presidential election candidates, hosted by the National Election Commission, held at SBS Studio in Sangam-dong, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the '20th Presidential Election Candidates Debate' hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission on the previous day (25th), Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party exchanged sharp criticisms.

During the debate on foreign affairs and security, Lee referred to Yoon as "Dooly who came riding on a glacier." Lee said, "The NSC (National Security Council) has already been held, but I saw you insist on holding an NSC meeting again. There is a saying going around," and sarcastically added, "People say (about Yoon), 'He looks like Dooly who came riding on a glacier.' Have you heard that?"

In the political debate, Yoon compared Lee to the pro-Japanese collaborator Lee Wan-yong. Yoon cited recordings related to the Daejang-dong incident and claimed Lee was the "mastermind of Daejang-dong." In response, Lee mentioned Yoon's investigation of the Busan Savings Bank corruption case in 2012, saying, "Yoon helped them and also went easy on the Savings Bank investigation."

Yoon then rebutted, "That's like saying Lee Wan-yong was the person who sold out the country to An Jung-geun," adding, "I was sitting in the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office after being demoted at the time; how could I be the mastermind? Please speak reasonably."

A banner installed at a crosswalk in downtown Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Among citizens who watched the TV debate, there are criticisms that the presidential candidates focusing on attacking each other rather than policy competition is inappropriate. Mr. Choi, a man in his 30s, said, "I don't know who has what policies and visions," and added, "I hope they stop talking about Daejang-dong and Savings Bank and move on to policy competition."

Mr. Park, a self-employed man in his 40s, said, "It seems the debate doesn't really cover what they plan to do for self-employed people," and criticized, "All I remember is them attacking each other on TV asking for votes." He lamented, "Now they say offensive language is allowed even on banners, but where can we hear voices for us?"

As citizens worry, if 'negative banners' with offensive language are hung all over the city, it could further muddy the presidential election scene. Amid the stigma of the worst unfavorable presidential election in history, criticism from citizens is expected to intensify.

Experts suggest that to enable voters to make the right choice, negativity should stop and policy competition should be shown. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon emphasized, "It would be more desirable if the election proceeds more calmly, focusing on policy competition and vision competition rather than negativity or slander against opponents."

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