Another Controversy Over Derogatory Remarks About Disabled People
Lee Hae-chan, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who previously sparked controversy with derogatory remarks about people with disabilities, is once again facing backlash for making similar comments.
On this day, Lee said on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel 'Sseum', "People with congenital disabilities are said to have weaker willpower because they have had disabilities since childhood."
This remark came during his explanation of recruiting Professor Choi Hye-young from Kangdong University, the party's first 'recruitment talent' for the general election.
He said, "I heard from a psychologist that people who became disabled due to accidents have dreams about living a normal life as they did before, so they tend to have stronger willpower."
He added, "After talking with Professor Choi, I found that she has strong willpower and is kind-hearted," and evaluated, "She overcame adversity and turned it into activities for people with disabilities. She is not an ordinary person."
This is not the first time Lee has made derogatory remarks about people with disabilities. On December 28 last year, during a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the National Disability Committee, which gathered disabled party members nationwide, he said, "They are more pathetic than physically disabled people," but quickly retracted, saying, "Ah, I misspoke." This was an inappropriate remark calling physically disabled people 'pathetic' in front of party members with physical disabilities, specifically those with mobility impairments.
Afterwards, Lee also claimed, "When you look at what is said in politics, there are so many mentally disabled people that you wonder if they are normal." Although he intended to target some politicians, his remarks seemed to equate 'mentally disabled people' with 'abnormal people.'
Lee also criticized young people. Responding to a 27-year-old who sent a story saying they had no dreams, he said, "You shouldn't live absentmindedly just because you have no dreams. You have to keep dreaming."
He stated, "You have to keep having hope, make efforts, communicate with friends, read books, and nurture your dreams," adding, "People in their generation in the 1950s did not worry much about jobs, but young people today find it difficult to get jobs at all, so I feel somewhat sorry for them."
However, he said, "This won't last long. It will last about five to six years, and during that time, the government and society must play a role in guiding young people well," explaining, "That is why many pledges related to youth, such as the 'Youth Smart City,' are included in our election promises."
In response to a question from a 20-year-old about the timing of introducing a volunteer military system, which the Democratic Party had considered as an election pledge, he said, "Our military is becoming more scientific, and the population is decreasing, so eventually there will be a shortage of troops. It is a situation where we cannot avoid it," but added, "We need to proceed gradually over time. Preparations should start now."
He also added, "If you are twenty years old now, you should obviously serve in the military."
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