[Summary] Lee Hae-chan "Seoul is a Vulgar City" Controversy... United Party "Is Seoul Democratic Votes Also Vulgar Votes?"

Controversy Over 'Seoul as Vulgar' Following 'Shabby Busan' Remark
Lee Hae-chan: "A City as Vulgar as Seoul" Ha Tae-kyung: "Such a Bad Remark"
United Party Criticizes: "Are Votes for Seoul Democratic Party Lawmakers Vulgar Votes?"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a lecture on the theme "The Future of Sejong City and the Era of National Balanced Development" at a special guest lecture commemorating the 13th anniversary of Sejong City's groundbreaking and the 200th Policy Academy, held on the afternoon of the 24th at the Yeomin Room of Sejong City Hall. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy by referring to Seoul as a "vulgar city."

At a talk concert held at Sejong City Hall the day before (24th), Lee mentioned the relocation of the administrative capital, saying, "When you pass along the Han River in Seoul by boat, you have to keep explaining 'how much an apartment costs per pyeong.' Even on the way back, all you hear about are apartment explanations."

He added, "When you go to places like the Seine River in France, there are historical sites like Notre-Dame Cathedral along the way, which is a major tourist attraction. Listening to that, you understand how France has lived." He continued, "But here, only apartments line the Han River, with prices per unit, creating such a vulgar city, which should not be allowed."

He went on, "We need to build a safe, dignified, and culturally mature city, but Sejong City wasted 7 to 8 years in its early days," and said, "There were many obstacles around 2003 when former President Lee Myung-bak was mayor of Seoul."

In response to Lee’s remarks, the United Future Party immediately issued a critical statement on the 25th, asking, "Is he painting a big picture that there is no need to even field a Democratic Party candidate for the vulgar Seoul mayor?"

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the United Future Party, said in a verbal statement that day, "Are the votes that Seoul Democratic Party lawmakers received with overwhelming support in the general election such vulgar votes?"

She added, "If it’s neither this nor that, it seems to be a new kind of real estate policy aimed at covering up policy failures with verbal bombs. It is a shameful remark by the ruling party leader who even divides this small land of Korea. Our party wants to apologize to the people on their behalf."

Ha Tae-kyung, a lawmaker from the same party, also criticized, saying, "Lee Hae-chan, who said Busan is shabby and Seoul is vulgar, is this a self-reflection on the sexual harassment scandals of mayors Oh Keo-don and Park Won-soon?"

On his Facebook post that day, Ha pointed out, "Lee Hae-chan, who disparaged Busan as shabby in the April general election, now says Seoul is vulgar. Suddenly, the capital of Korea and the second-largest city have become vulgar and shabby cities."

He continued to condemn Lee’s remarks, calling them "'Bucho-Seocheon' (Busan shabby, Seoul vulgar), a very bad statement that stirs regional sentiments for political gain."

Ha said, "What actually made Busan and Seoul shameful are the sexual harassment scandals of the two Democratic Party local leaders, Oh Keo-don and the late Park Won-soon. No wonder 55% of Seoul citizens who overwhelmingly supported the Democratic Party in the last general election responded that the opposition party should win the Seoul mayoral by-election next year." He criticized, "The Democratic Party must take responsibility as the cause of the administrative failures in Busan and Seoul."

Earlier, before the April general election, Lee sparked controversy by saying during a visit to Busan, "Every time I come to Busan, I often wonder why the city looks so shabby."

Although the remark was made in the context of pledging efforts for local long-standing projects such as the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Line railway and development of the site, it was criticized for inappropriate expression.