[Timeline] 'Overstepping Boundaries' People's Power Youth Committee Self-Introduction... Ultimately 'Dismissed' (Comprehensive)

People Power Party Youth Committee Poster Posted ... "A Nation Ruled by God," "Ttanggae Albobyeong," ""Gopbeoseu Tada Hangang Gal Ppeon""
Fierce Criticism Erupts Over Youth Committee Introduction Phrase
People Power Party Holds Emergency Meeting ... Ultimately, Youth Party Officials Dismissed

[Asia Economy Reporter Nah Han-ah] "A country where God's reign comes," "Army private land dog Albo soldier," "Almost took a Gopbus to the Han River" ? attempting to emphasize the youth image with striking phrases, the youth officials of the People Power Party (PPP) sparked controversy with their excessive self-introduction posts and were ultimately dismissed on the 2nd. Here is a timeline summarizing the controversy's origin, development, and final dismissal process.

▶ Posting of the controversial People Power Party Youth Committee poster (September 29)

The People Power Party Central Youth Committee posted an introduction of its leadership on Facebook on the 29th of last month. The youth committee members highlighted the 'youth' image by posting introductions filled with trending phrases and their unique personalities.

Kim Geumbi, the Planning Director, wrote in additional information, "For two years, I believed an economic depression was coming soon and almost took a Gopbus to the Han River." Joo Seong-eun, the spokesperson, described the country as "A nation where God's reign comes, the Republic of Korea with the spirit of free conservatism," adding "TMI: my mother is a pastor." Lee Jae-bin, head of the Talent Development Headquarters, introduced himself as "My greatest life achievement: 14 awarded leaves as an army private land dog Albo soldier."

▶ Flood of criticism over expressions posted on the Youth Committee self-introduction poster... What was the problem?

Regarding these self-introduction phrases by the Youth Committee, some strongly opposed their deletion for numerous reasons including △ trivialization of politics △ inappropriate use of slang and neologisms △ trivialization of suicide △ expressions violating the spirit of liberal democracy △ disparagement of army soldiers △ negatively framing and belittling the entire activist group △ political disparagement and distortion △ causing political conflict and misunderstanding.

In particular, the poster stirred controversy by openly mentioning recently contentious issues, further fueling political conflicts.

The phrase "A nation where God's reign comes" was fiercely criticized as a "phrase linking religion and the party," which does not align with the party's stance and was seen as an imprudent remark.

Also, the phrase "My greatest life achievement: 14 awarded leaves as an army private land dog Albo soldier" targeted the recent sensitive issue of "Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son's military service privilege allegations," while simultaneously using slang that disparages army soldiers.

In response, Jo Eun-joo, youth spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, commented, "This expression violates the basic principle that religion and politics are separated under the constitution and the spirit of liberal democracy," and urged, "Please restore the dignity of political language."

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also criticized on his Facebook post on the 2nd, saying, "No wonder they say they want to rule for 20 years over there. Neither old nor young have any sense."

▶ People Power Party holds emergency meeting... eventually removes the post and dismisses youth officials (October 2)

As controversy and criticism over the People Power Party Youth Committee's inappropriate expressions intensified, the related post was deleted on the 2nd.

The party also held an emergency video conference of the "People Power Party Emergency Response Committee" and dismissed the involved youth officials. The appointment of Joo Seong-eun, spokesperson of the Central Youth Committee, was canceled, and Vice Chairpersons Lee Jae-bin and Kim Geumbi, as well as Planning Director Kim Geumbi, were dismissed.

The People Power Party stated, "We take this matter very seriously," and added, "We will do our best to ensure that there is no halt in the path of innovation and change that meets the public's expectations."