[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Kim Moon-soo, co-chairman of the Christian Liberty Unification Party's joint election countermeasures committee, defended Bucheon Byeong candidate Cha Myung-jin of the United Future Party regarding the controversy over his offensive remarks about Sewol ferry victims' families, saying, "Do we have to click the centrist button only during elections? Is Sewol an absolute sanctuary?" This is expected to spark controversy.
On the morning of the 9th, Kim wrote on Facebook, "Do we have to shut our mouths to get votes? Do we have to be very cautious to win?"
He also uploaded a video titled "Is Sewol also offensive speech? Is adultery a sanctuary?" on his YouTube channel, Kim Moon-soo TV.
Kim's remarks are interpreted as a backlash against the United Future Party's disciplinary action against candidate Cha, who was referred to the party's ethics committee. Previously, the party held a closed emergency supreme council meeting the night before, expelling candidate Kim Dae-ho of Gwanak Gap and referring candidate Cha to the ethics committee.
Additionally, Kim Jong-in, the United Future Party's general election committee chairman, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly that morning, stating, "This is not a matter of whether the words were appropriate or not," and added, "A candidate for the National Assembly from a public party should never utter words of such a level," and issued a public apology.
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