"Two Verbal Slip-ups"... Kim Dae-ho Ultimately Expelled Amid 'Generational Disparagement' Controversy (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Dae-ho, the United Future Party candidate for Gwanak-gu Gap in Seoul, was ultimately expelled amid generational disparagement controversies such as "everyone becomes disabled when they get old" and "people in their 30s and 40s are ignorant."

The United Future Party's Central Ethics Committee held a full meeting on the morning of the 8th and confirmed Kim's expulsion.

The party stated the reason for the disciplinary action as "engaging in extremely harmful behavior to the party through inappropriate remarks during the election period."

On the 6th, at a Seoul regional campaign committee meeting, Kim sparked controversy for disparaging the 30s and 40s generation by saying, "People in their mid-30s and 40s are not logical but full of great ignorance and delusion." Then, at a Gwanak Gap general election candidate debate held at a local Seoul broadcasting station on the 7th, he made remarks that could be seen as disparaging the elderly, saying, "Disabled people are diverse. Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3... when you get old, everyone becomes disabled."

In response, the United Future Party appears to have made the decision to expel him to prevent being framed for "reckless remarks" ahead of the general election.

Kim Jong-in, the overall election campaign committee chairman, said at a National Assembly press conference that morning, "The most important thing for politicians is their words. A single word can save or kill a person," and pointed out, "He made a verbal mistake on the first day, so I thought we could overlook it once, but he made almost the same verbal mistake the next day."

Kim Dae-ho expressed that he cannot accept the party's decision. On the same morning, he announced his position in front of the United Future Party office in Yeongdeungpo and plans to respond, including legal measures.