Hwang Unha "Deeply Apologetic"
A photo 공개ed on Facebook on the 30th by Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party. Representative Hwang is laughing heartily at a gathering with Park Ju-min, Lee Jae-jung, Kim Nam-guk, Kim Seung-won, and Kim Yong-min, members of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Rep. Hwang Un-ha of the Democratic Party of Korea, who sparked controversy by sharing a photo of himself smiling in front of a news screen reporting flood damage in Daejeon.
On the 31st, Jin shared an article titled '"The TV was wrong"... Hwang Un-ha and Kim Nam-guk, the 'smile controversy' grows bigger when they speak' on his Facebook, pointing out, "The problem is not that they are laughing during a flood disaster, but that they gather to 'study' for the reorganization of power institutions, which is even more horrifying."
He criticized Rep. Hwang and others appearing in the photo as "those indicted and on trial for interfering in the Ulsan mayoral election, masters of political manipulation who fabricated the 'prosecutor-media collusion' frame with lies, those who served as housekeepers for the Cho Kuk family before taking office, and those who wear the Sewol ferry tragedy as a badge on their chest and use it as an asset for their power ambitions," adding, "These 'riffraff' conspire to design the future of the Republic of Korea. It is a 'horror vision.'"
Earlier, on the 30th, Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, posted a photo on his Facebook showing Rep. Hwang along with Democratic Party lawmakers Park Joo-min, Lee Jae-jung, Kim Nam-guk, Kim Seung-won, and Kim Yong-min smiling brightly together. The TV in the background of the photo was broadcasting news about the flood damage in Daejeon.
When controversy arose over the photo, Rep. Hwang explained in a post on his Facebook the same day, "I attended a study meeting in the morning and took a commemorative photo with fellow lawmakers who happened to visit," rebutting the claims as "devilish editing."
Rep. Hwang deleted the post and reposted, apologizing, "Regardless of the circumstances, I was not thoughtful enough as it could have caused misunderstandings."
He added, "First, I am deeply sorry for the possibility of causing even a little emotional hurt to the flood victims," and "I will become more serious and humble. I will take this as an opportunity to mature further."
Meanwhile, on the 31st, Rep. Kim Nam-guk said in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' "First, I want to express my regret that the photo of us smiling was released like this," but also stated, "However, I think there was some misunderstanding."
Rep. Kim explained, "We had completely turned down the volume of the news and other sounds. If we had been watching the TV, we would have known and understood the flood damage news accurately, but that was not the case," adding, "The aide who took the photo said, 'Why aren't you smiling? You look like you came to fight,' so the photo showed us smiling as friends."
He continued, "Then, maliciously, some said that while there was flood damage, Rep. Hwang, who is from the affected district, was not taking care of it and was just smiling in the photo," adding, "I think there is a malicious aspect to this as well."
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