Daughters Criticize Jang Miran, People Power Party Responds "Choi Yoon-hee of Moon Administration Also Former Athlete"

"Lenient to Their Own Side
Creating Faults Even Where None Exist for the Opponent"

When supporters of the Democratic Party criticized the appointment of Professor Jang Mi-ran of Yongin University’s Department of Physical Education as the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People Power Party responded on the 1st by stating, "Former Vice Minister Choi Yoon-hee, appointed in 2019 during the Moon Jae-in administration, was also a former athlete."

Kim Min-soo, spokesperson for the People Power Party, pointed out in a statement on the 1st, "It is regrettable to see political fandoms who are lenient toward their own side but do not hesitate to make up faults and resort to personal attacks against the opposing side."

Jang Mi-ran, professor of Physical Education at Yongin University, appointed as the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Photo by the Presidential Office

Spokesperson Kim criticized, "Some radical supporters of the opposition and 'Gaeddal' (a nickname for fervent Democratic Party female supporters) are criticizing Professor Jang as a 'Yoon Seok-yeol collaborator and pro-Japanese convert.' They also engage in indiscriminate criticism including sports disparagement and personal attacks, saying things like 'What would a weightlifter know? It’s hard for athletes to even take care of their brains.'"

He added, "Professor Jang is a Korean hero who overcame a relatively small physique and promoted national prestige by winning four consecutive world weightlifting championships and setting a world record at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, among other competitions."

"Compared to athlete Jang Mi-ran, who had no political activities, former Vice Minister Choi faced controversy over 'favoritism appointments' due to her support for former President Moon in the 19th presidential election," he recalled the previous administration’s personnel.

Kim said, "During the 2012 Olympics, as many as nine athletes used banned substances. However, even amid that, Professor Jang, who won a bronze medal through fair competition, is called a symbol of fair play."

He continued, "For a considerable time, Professor Jang has practiced social contribution by holding the Jang Mi Sports Festival with North Korean defector youths, students who suffered from school violence, and children from marginalized areas. She is a person who fits the fairness and common sense expected of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s 2nd Vice Minister under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."

Spokesperson Kim stated, "The People Power Party looks forward to and supports the new breeze of fair administration that Jang Mi-ran, the nominee for the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will bring. The People Power Party will also do its utmost to uphold fairness and common sense worthy of the name of national hero Jang Mi-ran and to build a fair Republic of Korea."

Earlier, President Yoon Seok-yeol appointed Professor Jang as the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 29th of last month, along with 13 other vice minister-level personnel across government ministries.

The Presidential Office explained the background of the appointments of the minister and vice ministers, saying, "She is a university professor who also nurtures future talents through the Jang Mi-ran Foundation, combining both field experience and theory. The appointment was made with the intention of bringing a new breeze to sports as well."

After her appointment as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Professor Jang expressed her thoughts, saying, "I believe the spirit of fair play in the sports field is consistent with fairness and common sense. I will do my best to realize the national philosophy of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and strive to properly inform the public about government policies."

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