Eogigu Faces Controversy Over "X Jashik Ne" Insult to Voters
Past Verbal Abuse Controversies Involving Jeong Bong-ju, Cha Myung-jin, and Min Kyung-wook
Eo Gi-gu, the Democratic Party candidate running in Dangjin City, Chungnam, is cheering with a bouquet of flowers around his neck at his campaign office on the night of the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid controversy over allegations that Eo Gigu, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, used abusive language toward voters, various past instances of rude remarks and insults by lawmakers have resurfaced. Experts pointed out that if politicians continue to use offensive language, public sentiment will inevitably turn away from them.
Eo, who successfully won re-election in the April 15 general election running in Dangjin, Chungnam, recently became embroiled in a profanity controversy. A person identifying themselves as voter A posted on an online cafe on the 20th the text messages exchanged between themselves and Eo.
According to the disclosed messages, A told Eo, "Even though you won the election, seeing the actions of the Democratic Party makes supporters anxious that they might become a second Yeolwoo Party (Open Democratic Party)." They added, "Regarding disaster relief funds, please align with the government and increase it to 70%. It’s not just a one-time thing. Please consider the future as well. The people elected you to help the government."
In response, Eo replied, "Then you should be the president," to which A retorted, "I’m telling you, Representative Eo, who was elected to the National Assembly, to do your job."
Another voter, B, criticized Eo by saying, "Do your work properly. How can you speak informally and threaten a voter? You’re acting arrogantly just because you won." Eo responded with a text message saying, "You’re a damn bastard. Voters should act like voters."
As the controversy spread, Eo’s office stated they are investigating the details. A representative from Eo’s office told a media outlet, "We are looking into why the lawmaker started exchanging heated words with A and others."
Former Open Democratic Party Supreme Council Member Jeong Bong-ju is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Previously, Jeong Bongju, former Supreme Council member of the Open Democratic Party, also caused a stir by using abusive language toward netizens. On the 12th, on his YouTube channel 'BJ TV,' Jeong targeted netizens who left critical comments, saying, "Instead of doing negative stuff here, go home and sleep, you sons of bitches."
He also criticized the Democratic Party leadership, saying, "Since when have you been the boss to act so bossy? During this election period, you slandered me and treated me like a lowlife trash. Do you think you can face me again?" At that time, as the general election approached, the Democratic Party was intensifying criticism against the Open Democratic Party.
When controversy arose, Jeong explained on his YouTube broadcast on the 13th, "I did not say bad things about the Democratic Party or its leadership," adding, "Yesterday’s broadcast had so many people coming in and leaving abusive comments." He further pointed out, "Those who call us bugs and write anti-comments, please stop. It’s a bad habit."
Politicians’ rude remarks have also influenced general election results. Cha Myungjin, former candidate of the United Future Party, sparked controversy with inappropriate comments related to the Sewol ferry disaster ahead of the election.
Cha, who ran in Bucheon City B district, Gyeonggi Province, stated at an OBS candidate invitation debate on the 8th, "Do you know about the ○○○ incident? The ○○○ incident," and claimed, "In May 2018, there was an article reporting that Sewol ferry volunteers and bereaved families engaged in indescribably immoral acts inside a tent," drawing criticism from netizens.
After the controversy, the party leadership tried to manage the situation by expelling Cha at the Supreme Council meeting, but Cha obtained a court ruling invalidating the expulsion and continued his campaign until the end. However, Cha lost the election, receiving 41,642 votes (32.5%) against Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Sanghee’s 77,577 votes (60.5%), a difference of 35,935 votes.
Min Kyungwook, a United Future Party lawmaker who ran in Yeonsu District B, Incheon, also lost to Democratic Party winner Jeong Ilyeong. On February 13, Min shared a post on his Facebook containing the phrase "You damn sons of bitches!" The post harshly criticized President Moon Jaein, saying, "The day Moon Jaein’s assets are overturned, people will belatedly realize how evil and filthy he is..."
Regarding such rude remarks by politicians, political commentator Lee Jonghoon analyzed, "Politicians may have used offensive language before the general election to rally their core supporters and raise their own recognition." He added, "Rude remarks that come out after the election can be seen as a kind of reckless statement."
Lee emphasized, "Rude remarks also affected the election results," adding, "There were many closely contested districts in this general election. In the process of undecided voters deciding whom to support, politicians’ rude language scandals inevitably influenced public sentiment."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
