"Curiosity Leads to n번방" "Incheon Village" "President Prison"... United Future Party's Relay 'Controversies'

On the 2nd, when the campaign for the 21st National Assembly election began, Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the United Future Party running in Jongno, appealed for support from a campaign vehicle in the alleys of Cheongunhyoja-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The United Future Party is facing public backlash due to a series of gaffes. "There can be different judgments about people who entered the room out of curiosity and then quit," said Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, on the 1st at a Broadcasting Reporters Club invitation debate held at the Broadcasting Hall in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, referring to the issue of publicly revealing the identities of all members of the 'n번방' (n-beonbang). He added, "The representative of the n-beonbang was punished and detained, but individual judgments are necessary for those involved."

Kang Hoon-sik, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Hwang's thoughtless remark about the n-beonbang incident has provoked public anger," and asked, "Is Leader Hwang trying to dismiss joining the n-beonbang as mere curiosity and show leniency to the horrific criminals?" Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, also stated in a press release, "Hwang's remarks are very problematic. We hope he apologizes immediately to the victims and the public."

As the controversy spread, Leader Hwang issued a statement that day, explaining, "I was merely discussing the general principle that various considerations are needed in sentencing from a legal perspective," and added, "This case must be strictly subject to the principle of zero tolerance."

On the 31st of last month, Park Chang-hoon, on the United Future Party's official YouTube channel 'Oreun Sori,' sparked controversy by saying about President Moon Jae-in, "After his term ends, he can eat eco-friendly free school meals in prison." Later, Park expressed regret, saying, "I regret the somewhat unrefined remarks."

Jeong Seung-yeon, a United Future Party candidate running in the Yeonsu-gap district of Incheon, also faced criticism for referring to Incheon as a "chon-guseok" (rural backwater). Jeong told Representative Yoo Seung-min, who visited her campaign office, "I am truly grateful that respected Leader Yoo came all the way to this rural backwater of Incheon."

As the controversy intensified, Candidate Jeong apologized in a statement, saying, "It was a remark made as a humble compliment," and added, "I deeply apologize again for the careless remark and will pay special attention to my words and actions going forward."