Cheon Haram Sends 'Yeouido Mental Hospital' Book… Kim Yeji Says "Promotes Wrong Prejudice"

Kim Yeji "Regret quoting hate speech"
Cheon Haram "Look at the moon, not the finger"

Cheon Ha-ram, the People Power Party's Jeonnam Suncheon-gap district committee chairman, who gifted a book titled "Why Are There No Psychiatric Hospitals in Yeouido?" to all ruling party lawmakers, explained the reason for sending the book was because he felt "a sense of crisis that politics is making people lose interest."

However, some within the party criticized the content of the letter sent along with the book's title as inappropriate. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ye-ji expressed concern, saying, "It incites hatred against people with mental illnesses."

"Why Are There No Psychiatric Hospitals in Yeouido?" is a book written by a daily newspaper reporter based on experiences covering the National Assembly, the Prime Minister's Office, and others. It is known to contain a critical perspective on power institutions and the political world.

Cheon sent this book along with a letter to ruling party lawmakers. In the letter, he wrote, "Those who call themselves leaders are not only failing to get their act together but are gathering their hardcore supporters to engage in bizarre red scare debates, accusing others of being pro-Japanese collaborators, and blaming others. To a normal citizen, if they are not mentally ill, then what are they?"

Cheon Haram, Chairman of the People Power Party Jeonnam Suncheon Gap District Committee. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

In response, lawmaker Kim Ye-ji posted on Facebook, saying, "It seems you do not understand why introducing this book is a hateful expression," and pointed out, "Hateful expressions do not simply refer to all personal feelings or expressions. Even the same words can be hateful expressions when directed at vulnerable or minority groups, especially when they contain negative images or prejudices and reinforce the discrimination these groups face."

Kim said, "The current political situation may not look good to the public," but "quoting a book title and content that can promote wrong prejudices about mental illness is not desirable. It only solidifies the prejudiced image of 'mental illness = negative politician' among people who previously had no such prejudice."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

She added, "I regret that Chairman Cheon's sincerity and efforts for proper political direction for the country and the people have been cited as hateful expressions about mental illness," emphasizing, "Putting the people into a fishbowl of 'normalcy' is not the direction the People Power Party pursues."

Regarding Kim's criticism, Chairman Cheon responded in a CBS radio interview, "I expected criticisms like being arrogant and rude, but I think it’s good that meaningful points related to political correctness and freedom of expression were raised," while also rebutting, "Expression is important, but I hope there is more sensitivity toward the party’s line and message."

He continued, "It seems you found parts like 'normal citizens' and 'mentally ill' in my expressions inappropriate," and added, "Criticism may be valid in terms of belittling lawmakers, but I think it is hard to say I belittled the people. I hope you look at the moon, not the finger."

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