Opposition Party Requests Human Rights Commission Investigation into "'Geonpok' Hate Speech"... Ruling Party Opposes, Saying "Ignoring Illegal Acts Is Discrimination"

Report on Human Rights Commission Work to the National Assembly Steering Committee on the 24th
Opposition: "Yoon's mention of 'Geonpok' by Won Hee-ryong is hate speech"
Ruling party: "Turning a blind eye only to illegal acts by Minnocho is discrimination"

The Democratic Party of Korea requested an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission on the 24th, stating that President Yoon Seok-yeol and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong's recent use of the term 'Geonpok' targeting the construction labor union constitutes 'hate speech.' The People Power Party opposed this, arguing that 'Geonpok' is an abbreviation for 'illegal violence at construction sites.'

Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Young-in said during the National Assembly Steering Committee's current affairs questioning held that day, "President Yoon has used the term 'Geonpok' regarding the construction union's union activities," adding, "This could be seen as the starting point for creating negative perceptions and prejudices against construction union members."

He continued, "Minister Won also once said, 'They are a predatory group and extortion force disguised as a union,'" adding, "These statements politically portray the union as despicable. The Human Rights Commission needs to actively clarify and investigate this."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lawmaker Seo Dong-yong from the same party also pointed out the term 'Geonpok,' saying, "Hate speech itself is a form of discrimination and should be prohibited as a preliminary stage of discriminatory acts." Seo stated, "(The government) defines the construction union, established based on the constitutional labor rights, as 'Geonpok,' a term similar to organized crime groups," adding, "They even use expressions like 'a lawless zone not even found in Africa.' This reveals a racially discriminatory perception."

He explained, "Such hate speech justifies discrimination against construction workers and does not help at all in resolving conflicts between construction companies and unions, or various issues including safety problems at construction sites."

In response, Nam Gyu-seon, a standing commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, said, "We have received a statement of opinion and were contacted that a petition will soon be submitted," adding, "Once the petition is received, we will review it." Regarding Seo's inquiry, he said, "A petition is expected within today or tomorrow," and "We will investigate the human rights violations and discrimination aspects."

The ruling party rebutted the claim that 'Geonpok' is hate speech or discriminatory language. People Power Party lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk emphasized, "I believe that turning a blind eye only to the illegal acts of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions itself is discrimination." Jang said, "While ignoring or actively supporting the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions expressing extreme hostility and hatred toward the government, even receiving orders from North Korea, calling illegal violence at construction sites 'Geonpok' is labeled as hate speech and discriminatory language, which I think is very inappropriate."

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