Hong Ik-pyo: "Choi Kang-wook's outrageous remarks require strict party-level punishment... Need to discuss"

"Inyohan's 'Narannim' Remark is Pre-Modern"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook, who recently used the expression "female dogs causing trouble" while harshly criticizing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration at a book concert, has sparked controversy. In response, Hong Ik-pyo, the Democratic Party floor leader, stated that strict disciplinary action at the party level is necessary.

On the 22nd, during an interview on BBS's "Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal," when asked by the host whether the party would take strict disciplinary measures, Hong said, "I think it is necessary, but that needs to be discussed."

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 19th, at a book concert hosted by lawmaker Min Hyung-bae, former lawmaker Choi criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, saying, "In George Orwell's Animal Farm, female animals rarely cause trouble like this," which caused controversy. In response, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung indicated disciplinary action, stating, "We will respond strictly without tolerance to inappropriate remarks."

Hong said, "We need to discuss the disciplinary action. We have not had any concrete discussions yet," adding, "In any case, it was a very inappropriate remark, and regardless of the reason, it was a wrong statement."

Even after the party issued a warning regarding his offensive remarks, former lawmaker Choi wrote on social media, "That's democracy, you idiot." Regarding this, Hong said, "We often talk about gender sensitivity or sensitivity. If the person concerned feels offended, then it is wrong," adding, "Even if there is context and freedom of expression, using archaic expressions that belittle women's social activities is wrong from the perspective of gender sensitivity if the women concerned feel offended."

Regarding the recent remarks by In Yo-han, the People Power Party Innovation Committee chairman, who referred to President Yoon as ‘Naranim’ (a traditional honorific for the king), Hong said, "That also seems to be a continuation of archaic thinking," adding, "The ‘Naranim’ remark itself is very inappropriate, and especially when Chairman In said things like 'The president and I,' or 'He told me to work hard and supported me,' that completely misunderstands the core of the ruling party’s reform and is rather anti-reform."

On the possibility of Lee Sang-min, a non-mainstream Democratic Party lawmaker, joining the People Power Party, Hong said, "I spoke with him once last week, and since then, I have not been able to communicate, but I hope that does not happen," adding, "He should consider whether the values he pursued really align with those of the People Power Party."

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