Hong Joon-pyo Attacked for 'Colorism'... "Pro-North Korea Ideology Does Not Fall Under Freedom of Thought"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who was criticized for 'colorism' after raising suspicions about the contents of the USB given by President Moon Jae-in to Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, rebutted by saying, "Whenever there is suspicion of dealings with the North, they try to evade it by calling it colorism."

On the 25th, Mayor Hong said on his social network service (SNS), "That is not colorism but essentialism."

He added, "Pro-North (親北) might be defended as freedom of thought, but pro-North Korea (從北) does not fall within the scope of freedom of thought," and "We must remember that the National Security Act still exists in our country for national survival."

Mayor Hong said, "These days, it even feels like the political situation between the North and South just before the June 25th invasion," and "Did those forces who shouted 'Let's go North! Come South!' at that time protect this country? Nowadays, just talking about national security gets you labeled as far-right."

Mayor Hong mentioned 'colorism' during a heated exchange with Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young regarding the USB suspicion that President Moon gave to General Secretary Kim. Lawmaker Yoon said on SNS, "The USB Mayor Hong mentioned is something Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se is well aware of," and added, "Since the president is leading the pro-North labeling and colorism, not only the chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council but also metropolitan mayors are joining in."

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