'"Goma Chiara" in Japanese? ... Anchor Controversy Mocking Jojuk Dialect'

Dialect Mockery and Regional Derogation Controversy Raised
Busan Citizens Demand "Apologize" Amid Criticism
Jo Guk States "I Want an Apology from Anchor Pyeon Sang-wook"

Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, recently made a pointed remark targeting the current administration using a dialect during a campaign event in Busan, and a news anchor’s sarcastic comment asking "Is that Japanese?" has sparked controversy.

On the 21st, Jo Guk visited Busan and met with citizens, saying, "Coming to my hometown makes me feel reassured. Thank you very much." He emphasized, "If the people of Busan lend a little support, the waves will become even stronger. Then, the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution dictatorship regime will be swallowed up." He continued, "Since I have come to my hometown Busan, I warn President Yoon Seok-yeol in the Busan dialect," shouting, “Ije goma chiara ma!” which means "Stop it now" in the Busan dialect.

On the 21st, Representative Jo Guk visited Busan and met with citizens, saying, "Coming to my hometown makes me feel reassured. I am extremely, extremely grateful." He emphasized, "If the people of Busan lend just a little more support, the waves will become even stronger. Then, they will swallow up the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution dictatorship regime." He continued, "Since I have come to my hometown Busan, I warn President Yoon Seok-yeol in the Busan dialect," shouting, "Ije goma chiara ma!" This means "Stop it now" in the Busan dialect.
[Photo by SBS 'Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing']

Later, while reporting on this, SBS anchor Pyeon Sang-wook of 'Pyeon Sang-wook’s News Briefing' laughed and said, "'Ije goma chiara,' I understand 'Ije' means 'now,' but 'goma chiara'?is this Japanese?" This scene became problematic. Upon hearing this, Choi Seon-ho, a commentary writer, laughed and replied, "It means 'stop it'." The anchor then asked again, "What does this mean now?" and questioned, "Does it mean that if they form a political force, they will push for the president’s impeachment?"

Anchor Pyeon Sang-wook of SBS's "Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing," who was reporting this scene, laughed and said, "'Ije Goma Chiara,' I understand 'Ije' but what is 'Goma Chiara'? Is this Japanese?"
[Photo by SBS 'Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing']

However, this remark sparked controversy online, with many accusing it of "mocking the dialect" and raising issues of 'regional discrimination.' On the SBS News YouTube comment section where the video was posted, criticisms poured in such as, "Are you disrespecting people from the provinces?", "How can an anchor not even know what a dialect is and mock it?", "Apologize to the people of Busan. This is offensive," "Busan dialect is Japanese?", and "He said it was in the Busan dialect, so why ask if it’s Japanese? Is he hard of hearing?"

The criticism soon spread to the SBS website’s bulletin board. Amid growing voices condemning it as 'Busan disparagement' and calls like 'Try being prosecuted,' Jo Guk also formally raised the issue, stating, "I want an apology from anchor Pyeon Sang-wook."

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