"Jjaljjal-i's Statement" Despite Choi Kang-wook's Explanation... Controversy Over "Terrible Sexual Sensitivity" Continues

Choi Kang-wook's Side: "Not XXX, but Jjaljjal-i" Explanation
"Explanation Even More Ridiculous," "Don't Force Palatalization" Criticism
Park Ji-hyun Orders Party Ethics Committee to Review Disciplinary Action

Choi Kang-wook, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Allegations that Choi Kang-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, used a vulgar term meaning 'sexual act' toward a fellow lawmaker during an online party meeting continue to persist. Choi's side explained that the word in question was actually "jjaljjal-i," which sounds similar. However, considering the context in which the remark was made, criticism that the explanation is unconvincing has followed.

According to a report by Herald Economy, on April 28, Choi participated in a Zoom video meeting with party members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Law Committee) to discuss the "complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority" (Geomsu Wanbak) bill. At that time, when lawmaker Kim Nam-guk did not turn on his video camera, Choi asked him to show his face, saying, "What are you hiding from?" When Kim refused to turn on the camera, Choi reportedly used a vulgar term reminiscent of a sexual act, saying, "Isn't it because you're doing XX?" Female aides also participated in this meeting and were reportedly displeased by Choi's remark.

When the issue was raised within the party, Choi Kang-wook's office apologized on Facebook on the 2nd, saying, "Regardless of the context before and after the remark, we regret causing misunderstanding and discomfort to all participants." However, a representative from Choi's side explained, "We did not use an expression that evokes a sexual act. We said, 'Why are you hiding where you can't be seen? Are you hiding and playing jjaljjal-i?' " They denied using a sexual vulgar term. Jjaljjal-i is slang for a 'coin flipping game.'

Supporters of Choi shared a column in which Choi mentioned jjaljjal-i in the past to defend him. On June 6, 2018, when he was a lawyer, Choi wrote a column titled "Memories of the Alley" for Jeonbuk Ilbo, in which he recalled his childhood and mentioned jjaljjal-i. Regarding this, pro-government broadcaster Kim Eo-jun said on June 3 on his TBS radio show "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory," "Jjaljjal-i is a game of guessing heads or tails with coins. Many male students secretly played it during school lessons. The key is to secretly hide something in your hand. Since it was a video meeting and the screen didn't show it, it meant 'Did you hide it?' or 'Did you conceal your body?'" thus defending Choi.

On the other hand, criticism that Choi's explanation is unconvincing also emerged. Park Min-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement on the 2nd, saying, "The office's explanation is even more ridiculous. It is appalling that they do not even realize why the remark is problematic, showing a pathetic level of sexual sensitivity." Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also posted on his Facebook the same day, saying, "Why would you play jjaljjal-i while hiding? Don't force palatalization. It doesn't fit grammar or context."

Meanwhile, Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, reportedly requested the party's Ethics Tribunal on the 2nd to review disciplinary measures against Choi.

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