Democratic Party: "'Kkotnori Pae' Is a Baduk Term, Not Hwa-tu... Han Dong-hoon Should Think Before Speaking"

Regarding the ‘Kkotnori Card’ remark, a war of words ensued between the Democratic Party of Korea and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. The Democratic Party pointed out that while Minister Han referred to ‘Kkotnori Card’ as a term from Hwatu (Korean playing cards), it is actually a term from Baduk (Go), criticizing Minister Han’s attitude and comments.

Lee So-young, the Democratic Party’s floor spokesperson, brought up the controversy about the Kkotnori Card remark during a meeting with reporters after the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th, calling it “a side note.” Lee said, “Yesterday, Park Kwang-on, the Democratic Party floor leader, said that the prosecution’s attempt to send a motion for arrest consent during the regular session of the National Assembly seemed like an intention to create a ‘Kkotnori Card,’ a term used in Baduk. In response, Minister Han said, ‘I don’t know if the investigation into Representative Lee’s criminal charges by the Democratic Party is like a Hwatu game where you can win if you draw the right card.’ I think he misunderstood. The Kkotnori Card is a concept from Baduk, not Hwatu.”

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He explained, “As you know well, it refers to a situation where, in a binary choice, no matter what you do, one side is inevitably at a disadvantage, and giving the opponent the Kkotnori Card means putting them in such a position.” He added, “If the prosecution sends the motion for arrest consent during the regular session, a vote is inevitable. If the motion is rejected, the government and ruling party will be criticized for shielding, and if it passes, they will be accused of division, using it politically.” He continued, “From the prosecution’s perspective, which is faithfully executing the government and ruling party’s election strategy, this means holding the Kkotnori Card.”

Lee said, “Minister Han often gets upset, but when he does, it would be better to listen carefully and understand the other party’s words accurately before reacting.” She added, “Basically, I would also request that cabinet members think carefully several times before speaking.”

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