Domestic and International Politicians Who Faced 'Shoe Throwing' Humiliation... How Did They Handle It?

US Bush Emphasizes Freedom of Political Expression
Ban Ki-moon Also Showered with Shoes in Middle East
Late Roh Moo-hyun "If It Relieves, I'll Take as Many Hits as Needed"

A (57), who threw a shoe at President Moon Jae-in as he was leaving a speech at the National Assembly, is heading to the Seoul Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th to undergo a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Lim Joo-hyung] Amid controversy over the police filing an arrest warrant for A (57), who took off his shoes and threw them at President Moon Jae-in during his visit to the National Assembly, the responses of some domestic and foreign politicians who had previously suffered from 'shoe-throwing' incidents are drawing attention. Although these individuals were targeted for different reasons, they all consistently emphasized citizens' freedom of expression and the right to protest.

◆ Former U.S. President Bush: "This is what a free society is"

Former U.S. President George Bush was pelted with shoes by a local reporter while attending a press conference during his visit to Iraq in 2008. / Photo by Yonhap News

The most famous shoe-throwing incident involved former U.S. President George Bush, who had to face flying shoes during a press conference held in Iraq.

In December 2008, during a visit to Iraq, former President Bush was attending a press conference with the then Iraqi Prime Minister when Muntadhar al-Zaidi, a journalist from Iraq's Al Baghdadia TV, showered him with shoes.

Al-Zaidi threw one shoe while shouting insults, saying, "This is for the widows and orphans of Iraq, killed by America. You son of a b****," and immediately took off the other shoe and threw it as well.

After dodging both shoes thrown at him, former President Bush said, "I understand the desire to get attention in this way," and emphasized, "This is what a free society is." Al-Zaidi was later sentenced to prison for nine months by a local court on charges of insulting a head of state and was released after serving his sentence.

◆ Ban Ki-moon also humiliated in Palestine

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visiting Jerusalem, Israel in 2015 and holding a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. / Photo by Yonhap News

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also suffered the humiliation of having shoes thrown at him by Palestinian protesters in February 2012.

At the time, Ban visited the Middle East to urge the resumption of peace talks between Israel and Palestine. While passing through the Erez crossing road connecting Israel and the Gaza Strip, a group of about 50 Palestinian protesters blocked Ban's vehicle, and two of them threw shoes at the car.

Later, in an interview with a foreign media outlet, Ban said, "I try to understand what the Palestinian protesters are concerned about," and emphasized, "I know many people in the Gaza Strip are frustrated. (The protests) are normal and natural."

◆ Former President Roh: "If getting hit by eggs solves problems, I’m willing to get hit anytime"

Former President Roh Moo-hyun, who was hit on the chin by an egg thrown by an attendee during a speech in Yeouido, Seoul in 2002 / Photo by Internet Community Capture

Meanwhile, the late former President Roh Moo-hyun was hit by eggs four times during his political career. On November 13, 2002, while giving a speech at the 'National Farmers Rally to Protect Our Rice' in Yeouido, Seoul, during his campaign as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, he was hit on the chin by an egg thrown by an attendee.

At the time, former President Roh wiped off the egg that splattered on his shoulder and face and said with a smile, "If getting hit by eggs helps solve problems, I’m willing to get hit anytime," adding, "Politicians should get hit once in a while to help ease the public’s anger."

Meanwhile, the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jin-chul) held a pre-trial detention hearing for A, who is charged with obstruction of official duties and trespassing, at 2 p.m. on the 19th, and dismissed the arrest warrant, stating that "there is insufficient justification and necessity for detention."