Democratic Party Removes 'Youth Disparagement' Banner Phrase Amid Controversy... "Produced by Vendor" Explanation

"'Galaxy Project' Event Teaser... Not for General Election"

The Democratic Party of Korea ultimately removed the banner phrase that sparked controversy over 'youth disparagement.'

Kang Seon-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said on the 19th during a briefing at the National Assembly communication office, "There is certainly regret that the process regarding the banner draft was not smooth," adding, "There was a misunderstanding about the phrase, but that phrase has already been deleted."

Earlier, the Democratic Party's general election planning team sent an official letter to each city and provincial party on the 17th, introducing four newly created banner design drafts under the concept of the '2023 New Democratic Party Campaign.' The banner drafts included geometric patterns along with phrases such as 'Naege Ondang' (Fair to Me), 'I don't know politics, but I want to live well,' 'I don't know the economy, but I want to have a lot of money,' and 'You said you want to live alone, did you mean you want to be alone?'.

The new banner design unveiled by the Democratic Party of Korea on the 17th [Image source=Provided by the Democratic Party of Korea, Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Kang said, "This draft is a teaser for the 'Galaxy Project' event on November 23," and added, "Reports that this is a general election banner targeting the 2030 generation are not true." He explained about the 'Galaxy Project' event, "It is a campaign prepared over a long time by the Democratic Research Institute, aiming to embrace the diversity of our society and deeply approach the lives of each citizen."

Han Jun-ho, spokesperson and head of the party's publicity committee, stated regarding the creator of the banner phrase, "It was not done by the party but by a publicity company preparing the campaign," and added, "The party only took action on the phrases presented by the company for the party event." He further said, "The publicity committee was not directly involved. This matter has nothing to do with the general election planning team."

Regarding the party's responsibility, spokesperson Kang said, "It seems there was a work-related mistake during the process," but reiterated, "We will look into it, but this is not a matter involving party officials or the party itself."

However, from the banner phrase to the explanations, the Democratic Party's response method was criticized both outside the party and from both the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction (Bimyeong faction) and the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction (Chinmyeong faction) within the party.

The Democratic Party youth member opinion group 'Padong' issued an urgent commentary on the day the banner draft was revealed, calling it "the worst and lowest quality among recent Democratic Party messages," and strongly criticized, "What does the Democratic Party think of the youth generation? Are they a mindless generation that only cares about money and doesn't understand politics? What is the Democratic Party thinking by interpreting the youth generation's pain as 'I don't know the economy, but I want to have a lot of money'?"

At a youth meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th, led by the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction group 'Principles and Common Sense,' Rep. Lee Won-wook stated, "The official document sent by the party shows 'Secretary-General, Publicity Committee Chair Han Jun-ho,'" directly contradicting the spokesperson's claim that the party was not involved.

The pro-Lee Jae-myung faction's off-site group, the Democratic National Innovation Council, also demanded a thorough investigation, disciplinary action against those responsible, and suspension of the 'Galaxy Project,' stating in a commentary, "It only defines the youth generation as selfish individualists who have no interest in community and public values but only care about money."

The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party's deletion of the banner phrase on the 19th, saying, "It clearly shows the current state of the Democratic Party, which disparages young people and has lost its vision." Choi Hyun-chul, senior deputy spokesperson, said in a commentary, "We demand a sincere apology from the Democratic Party, which not only disparaged young people but also irresponsibly shifted the blame."

Senior deputy spokesperson Choi pointed out, "Deleting the phrase without any apology for disparaging young people as a selfish group who only care about money and then making excuses is truly pathetic," and added, "Although the young generation was considered the main support base of the Democratic Party, it clearly shows that there was no deep consideration for the youth."

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