The Democratic Party files ethics complaint against Jang Kyung-tae for 'poverty porn' remark and Kim Eui-gyeom for distorting ambassador's statement

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] The People Power Party plans to file a complaint with the National Assembly Ethics Committee against Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who criticized First Lady Kim Keon-hee’s local visits during President Yoon Seok-yeol’s Southeast Asia tour using the term “poverty porn.” They also plan to file an additional complaint against Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom for distorting the remarks of EU Ambassador to Korea Fernandez.

On the 15th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters after the National Assembly floor strategy meeting, “Jang’s use of the term ‘poverty porn’ is a highly distorted and wrongful matter, and we plan to file a complaint for defamation of dignity and other reasons.”

“Poverty porn” refers to the act of sensationalizing poverty to evoke sympathy. On the 12th, during the Cambodia tour, Jang criticized First Lady Kim’s visit to children with heart disease instead of the Angkor Wat schedule, calling it a “poverty porn photo shoot,” which sparked controversy.

During his remarks at the floor strategy meeting that day, Floor Leader Joo said, “The Democratic Party’s twisted mindset is revealed by disparaging the First Lady’s sincere volunteer activities and criticizing President Yoon’s affairs unconditionally.” He added, “What is even more problematic is the expression ‘poverty porn photo shoot’ used against a woman, especially the First Lady, which is extremely insulting and anti-women.” He urged, “We hope Jang Kyung-tae will officially apologize to female party members and all women citizens,” and requested the Democratic Party to “promptly discipline Jang according to party rules and regulations.”

The People Power Party will also proceed with an additional Ethics Committee complaint against spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom for distorting Ambassador Fernandez’s remarks. Floor Leader Joo said, “Some issues involving spokesperson Kim have already been filed, and we are preparing an additional complaint regarding the distortion of the ambassador’s remarks.” On the 8th, after a private meeting between Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and Ambassador Fernandez, spokesperson Kim stated that “there seems to be a limit in response due to the lack of dialogue channels between the Yoon administration and North Korea,” which led to Ambassador Fernandez’s protest and Kim’s subsequent apology. Last month, the People Power Party also submitted a disciplinary proposal against spokesperson Kim to the National Assembly Ethics Committee over allegations related to a ‘Cheongdam-dong drinking party.’

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