From 'Elderly Disparagement' to 'In-Laws' Controversy... Why Did Kim Eun-kyung's Innovation Committee of the Opposition Only Leave Disputes?

Emphasizing Youth Participation Leads to 'Voting Rights Granted Proportionate to Dawn'
Criticism Over Elderly Disparagement Remarks... Attempted Apology Sparks 'Bongyang' Truth Dispute
Innovation Committee Loses Momentum Amid Repeated Controversies, Heads Toward Early Termination

The Kim Eun-kyung Innovation Committee, launched at the end of June with the aim of a 'comprehensive reform' of the Democratic Party of Korea, is facing an early termination crisis. Although Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, announced that he would fully accept the proposals discussed by the Innovation Committee, drawing significant attention from the process of selecting the innovation committee chairperson, Kim Eun-kyung has recently sparked controversy ranging from 'elderly disparagement' remarks to disputes over 'false caregiving of parents-in-law,' leading to criticism that the party is being driven into a 'crisis' rather than 'innovation.' Previously, the Innovation Committee, which had already been faltering after former chair Lee Rae-kyung resigned over a 'Cheonan ship suicide bombing' remark, is now becoming a source of various controversies due to the ongoing 'chairperson risk,' with no achievements to show.

Kim Eun-kyung, Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea Innovation Committee, is speaking at the first meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

'Voting Rights Proportional to Remaining Lifespan' Remark... Controversy Over Elderly Disparagement

"Why should people with a shorter future have a one-to-one vote?"

Kim Eun-kyung, the Innovation Committee chairperson, made this statement during a youth discussion held at a cafe in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 30th of last month, referring to a conversation she had with her son in the past. She emphasized the importance of youth political participation, saying, "Young people need to come out to the voting booths to express their will (which determines the future). Politics today decides the future situation and policies for the youth." The remark about 'granting voting rights proportional to remaining lifespan' came in this context.

She said, "My second child just turned 22, and when he was in middle school, he asked why older people decide our future," adding, "He thought that if you consider the average age, voting should be proportional to the remaining lifespan. Isn't that reasonable?"

However, her remarks were interpreted as suggesting that voting rights should be granted based on remaining lifespan, sparking controversy over disparagement of the elderly. After the controversy, Kim explained, "I will soon be 60 myself. I was immature and ignorant of political language and did not deeply reflect," but the backlash did not subside easily. On the 3rd, Kim Ho-il, president of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, slapped Kim Eun-kyung's photo multiple times in protest when she came to apologize. Kim Ho-il said, "Representing 10 million elderly people, I feel I must slap her photo to relieve my anger," adding, "I shouldn't resort to physical violence, so I will at least slap the photo. Wake up."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Another Controversy... This Time a Dispute Over '18 Years of Care for Parents-in-Law'

The problem did not end there. What seemed like an apology for the elderly disparagement remarks turned into the beginning of a new controversy.

Kim said at the event, "After my husband passed away, I cared for my parents-in-law for 18 years and buried them in the family graveyard at the end of last year," adding, "I have never lived without respect for elders." She continued, "I tried to explain how important voting is through my experience, but I did not expect it to escalate like this," and admitted, "There was a lack of judgment."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Kim Mo, who claimed to be Kim Eun-kyung's sister-in-law, refuted this as a 'lie,' sparking a controversy over falsehoods. On the 5th, Kim Mo posted on her blog, "She never attended even her husband's memorial services, let alone holidays, yet claims to have cared for her parents-in-law for 18 years after her husband's death?this is a blatant lie... Elderly disparagement was her daily routine." She also stated, "(Kim Eun-kyung) never lived with her parents-in-law even when her husband was alive," and "(The parents-in-law) endured all kinds of abuse and threats from Kim Eun-kyung for 18 years, not even receiving respect."

Then, Kim Eun-kyung's son joined the controversy. On the 6th, he posted on an online community, denying Kim Mo's claims and threatening legal action. He said, "The youngest aunt who posted online did not even attend grandfather and grandmother's funerals," adding, "The aunts did not take responsibility for caregiving. Although they inherited after grandfather and grandmother passed away, our family (mother, me, and my sibling) all renounced inheritance." He continued, "My mother lost her husband, cared for grandfather and grandmother, and raised two children while living a very busy and difficult life. We will take necessary legal action against false claims and defamation."

Innovation Committee Losing Momentum, Early Termination

As the Innovation Committee, launched with hopes for change and reform in the Democratic Party, faces continuous controversies, calls for ending its activities are growing in the political sphere.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, said at the first Supreme Council meeting after returning from summer vacation on the 7th, "Chairperson Kim came to innovate but is only bringing disgrace," adding, "At this point, she should realize that she has become a burden causing only problems." He further stated, "The Democratic Party's innovation has already thoroughly failed," and "I hope Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, recognizes this fact known to all citizens and takes appropriate measures."

Calls for ending the committee's activities are also coming from within the party. On the 7th, Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Young-chan said on BBS Radio, "The Innovation Committee has already lost momentum. Its activities should be stopped." He added, "The committee's innovation proposals so far include giving up parliamentary immunity and preventing trick resignations; the first proposal barely passed as a half-measure, and the second was only a declaration," continuing, "Then, during nationwide party member meetings, the elderly disparagement slip-up occurred, and now there is no momentum left to push innovation. In this state, the Innovation Committee should be disbanded quickly." He predicted, "There are even comments that 'the Innovation Committee itself is the subject of innovation,' so any innovation proposals they make will not be deeply accepted."

He also said that Lee Jae-myung should make a statement regarding the Innovation Committee. After returning from vacation, Lee expressed regret on the 7th after the Supreme Council meeting when asked by reporters about Kim's 'elderly disparagement' remarks, saying, "There are people who were hurt by the thoughtless remarks." The Innovation Committee is expected to end its activities early amid worsening public opinion. Originally scheduled to operate until early September, the committee plans to sequentially release innovation proposals by the end of this month and conclude its activities about two weeks ahead of schedule.

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