"Those Who Profit from Corpses" Directed at Democratic Party? ... Democratic Party Gyeongnam Provincial Office Urges Expulsion of Kim Mina

The Democratic Party of Korea has strongly criticized the claim that the phrase "those who profit from corpses," used by Mina Kim, a council member of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam Province, in her social media post during the 2022 Itaewon disaster, was directed at the Democratic Party.

On the 17th, the Democratic Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party held a press conference at the Changwon City Hall press center, stating, "We deeply regret Assemblywoman Kim's relentless use of abusive language and strongly urge her immediate resignation, as well as responsible action from her party, the People Power Party, and the Changwon City Council."

The Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party is calling for the expulsion of Mina Kim, a member of the People Power Party in Changwon City Council, and an official apology. Photo by Se-ryung Lee

The provincial party criticized Kim's claim, calling it "defamation against the Democratic Party and a base act that deceives the public."

They pointed out, "Assemblywoman Kim's conduct not only betrays her duty as a public official but also degrades the dignity of politics and deepens public distrust. Anyone who does not understand the weight of their words is unfit to hold such a position."

They further asserted, "Assemblywoman Kim's remarks and actions have already violated the conditions of her suspended sentence, so the court should immediately revoke the suspension and detain her."

Additionally, they demanded Kim's official apology, her resignation from the council, and her expulsion from both her party and the city council.

They also called for a thorough investigation and indictment by the police and prosecutors.

The provincial party announced its intention to file a lawsuit against Kim on charges of defamation and insult.

A social media post by Mina Kim, a council member of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam.

Previously, in November and December 2022, Assemblywoman Kim posted derogatory comments about the Itaewon disaster on her social media, insulting the bereaved families, and was ultimately given a three-month suspended sentence.

Regarding the Itaewon disaster that occurred in November of that year, she posted statements such as, "The bereaved families are killing the souls who went to heaven at such a young age for a second time," "People are saying they are making money by selling their children," and "Did they die saving the country?"

She also posted, "How much longer will those Democratic Party people milk the yellow ribbon for eight or nine years, and now with the black ribbon, how much more will they milk it?" and "those who profit from corpses."

Assemblywoman Kim has claimed that her use of the phrase "those who profit from corpses" was directed at the Democratic Party, not the Itaewon bereaved families. She filed a defamation complaint and a damages lawsuit worth 100 million won against the reporter and media outlet that reported she was convicted for insulting the bereaved families.

Recently, through her social media, Kim stated, "I have never been indicted, tried, or convicted for insulting the Itaewon disaster bereaved families as 'those who profit from corpses.' However, a certain reporter repeatedly published false articles as if I had been indicted and convicted for insulting the bereaved families as 'those who profit from corpses.' After much deliberation, I filed a complaint against the reporter and initiated a civil lawsuit."

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