[Summary] At the National Audit, a 1992-born lawmaker was called "Hey"... Public Broadcasting Home Shopping CEO explains "It was a monologue"

Choi Chang-hee, CEO of Gongyoung Home Shopping, Attends National Audit on 19th
During Q&A with 20th National Assembly Member Ryu Ho-jeong, Uttered "Eoi"
Choi's Side Explains It Was a Monologue, Not a Form of Address

Ryu Ho-jeong, Justice Party member / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Choi Chang-hee, CEO of Gongyoung Home Shopping and former public relations advisor for Moon Jae-in's presidential campaign, sparked controversy on the 19th during a National Assembly audit when he said "Oi" toward Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong. As the controversy grew, Choi's side clarified that the remark was a muttered comment not directed at lawmaker Ryu.

Choi attended the audit targeting the Small and Medium Business Corporation and others that morning. During the audit, lawmaker Ryu questioned the alleged false entry on the career certificate of the marketing director at Gongyoung Home Shopping.

Lawmaker Ryu stated, "To apply for the marketing director position, one must have about 20 years of relevant experience, but (the director in question) does not have 20 years of experience," adding, "The application form listed regular employment with a tenure until 2001, but the career certificate submitted after acceptance stated 'contract period until November 30, 2000.' This is a clear false entry."

In response, CEO Choi said, "The primary qualification was about 20 years of experience, but this person worked for 19 years and 9 months, falling short by 3 months," while also noting, "At that time, home shopping had not even existed for 20 years."

He continued, "Even 20 years ago, when we joined, it was the same; we entered as probationary employees," adding, "I believe there was no concept of contract or regular employment back then." At this point, lawmaker Ryu interrupted, saying, "That does not justify false entries," to which CEO Choi replied, "False statements," and said "Oi."

Choi Chang-hee, CEO of KBS Home Shopping, is responding at the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Enterprises Committee's audit held on the 19th in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Lawmaker Ryu immediately responded with a bewildered expression, saying, "Oi?" However, CEO Choi continued, "I believe it was not judged as a false entry." The questioning time ended, the microphone was turned off, and lawmaker Ryu did not raise any further issues at the scene.

Nevertheless, some criticized CEO Choi's remark as "rude."

Jang Hye-young, Justice Party floor spokesperson, issued a statement that day, saying, "(CEO Choi's remark) was something that should never have happened in the first place," and criticized, "It is as if he looked down not only on lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong but on the entire National Assembly, the representative institution of the people."

She emphasized, "Such behavior must never be repeated."

Amid growing controversy over CEO Choi's remark, Gongyoung Home Shopping explained that the remark was a muttered expression, not a form of address.

In a press release that afternoon, Gongyoung Home Shopping stated, "'Oi' was not an expression used to call lawmaker Ryu," and explained, "It was an exclamatory interjection muttered by CEO Choi during his response to lawmaker Ryu's questioning."

Meanwhile, lawmaker Ryu, born in 1992, is the number one proportional representative of the Justice Party and the youngest member of the 21st National Assembly.