People Power Party Media Spokesperson Says on YouTube, "The Problem Is Too Many People with Disabilities Are Being Allocated" When Kim Yeji Is Mentioned

Minyoung Park, Media Spokesperson of the People Power Party. People Power Party

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It was belatedly revealed that Minyoung Park, Media Spokesperson of the People Power Party, made a remark targeting fellow party member Kim Yeji, saying, "The problem is that too many people with disabilities are being allocated." On the 16th, The Hankyoreh reported that in a video posted on the YouTube channel "Jongiui TV," Spokesperson Park appeared on a far-right YouTube channel on the 12th and said, "(Why is Assemblywoman Kim trying to get nominated by the People Power Party?)"

At the time, the host made disparaging remarks about Assemblywoman Kim, saying, "Kim Yeji should consider being disabled as a blessing of fate," among other things. Spokesperson Park, who was sitting next to the host, responded with laughter and agreement. Park also said, "Rather than having a sense of identity as a person with a disability, she seems to take being accommodated for granted," and "She is filled with a victim mentality." However, this video can no longer be found on the YouTube channel in question.

The host of the "Jongiui TV" channel expressed strong anger, stating an intention to report Park's discriminatory remarks about people with disabilities to the police. As the controversy grew, Park posted on social media on the night of the 16th, saying, "We need to break away from the stereotype of labeling everything as mindless 'hate,'" and added, "People with disabilities should not be overrepresented compared to other groups, and likewise, there is no reason to give excessive privileges to certain individuals just because they have a disability."

Park further argued, "Assemblywoman Kim received special privileges twice by borrowing the party's name, yet treated the party's official stance as less than wet tissue, supported not only the impeachment of former President Yoon but also the special prosecutor bill led by the Democratic Party, and repeatedly proposed bills completely at odds with the party's platform, drawing heavy criticism." Park insisted, "Having received such privileges, Assemblywoman Kim should have at least made a minimal effort to respect the party's position and meet the expectations of party members as a member of the People Power Party."

She also added, "I am once again convinced that Han Donghoon cannot make a comeback, not only because of his failed nominations and the misguided actions of 'politician Kim Yeji,' but also because of the pathetic fandom that attacks with the 'disability hate' frame, nitpicking words that even the Democratic Party would not criticize." Park criticized the YouTuber who announced the intention to file a complaint, noting that the YouTuber is a supporter of Han Donghoon.

Kim Yeji, member of the People Power Party. The Asia Business Daily DB

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Last December, Assemblywoman Kim voted in favor of the impeachment motion against former President Yoon, despite opposition from within her party. In August, she was summoned as a witness in the special investigation into the rebellion, where she gave testimony regarding suspicions that party leadership interfered with the vote on the resolution demanding the lifting of martial law during the 12·3 Martial Law.

Assemblywoman Kim also faced heavy criticism, particularly from far-right YouTubers, over her proposed amendment to the "Act on Organ Transplantation" (Organ Transplantation Act) submitted last September. In an interview with Kyunghyang Shinmun last month, Kim pointed out, "It feels like an organized attack, and I suspect there is someone behind it," adding, "Other lawmakers have also proposed similar bills, but I was suddenly singled out and attacked, and the fact that I am a woman with a disability became the focal point of the attacks."

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