[Comprehensive] Jo Su-jin, Go Min-jeong's 'Hugung' Metaphor Sparks Controversy... Ruling Party Demands "Resign from Assembly" Fierce Attack

Criticism such as "Unheard-of vulgar remarks" and "Lack of basic manners"
Even within the opposition, "It was excessive" pointed out
Gominjung "Received the complaint... Official apology demanded"

Rep. So Su-jin of the People Power Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The political sphere is shaken by People Power Party lawmaker Jo Sujin's comparison of Democratic Party lawmaker Go Minjeong to a "Joseon Dynasty concubine." The ruling party fiercely criticized Jo and demanded her resignation, while opposition parties also pointed out that the expression was excessive. Go has filed a defamation lawsuit against Jo.

Previously, Jo posted on her Facebook, "Go Minjeong, whom the Moon Jae-in administration cherished and loved, mocked former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who competed in last April's general election, saying he was 'not chosen by the residents of Seoul Gwangjin District,'" adding, "I have once again confirmed the low character of a person named Go Minjeong."

She said, "(Just before the last general election) the then ruling party floor leader said in Gwangjin District, 'If Go Minjeong is elected, 1 million won will be given to every citizen.' This is what 'money politics' means," raising her voice, "Even a concubine in the Joseon Dynasty who bore a prince would not have received such treatment."

Jo also criticized Go, saying, "If you were elected riding on the power of 'mountain power,' shouldn't you be even more humble?" and "You should be humble just for escaping charges of listing false academic credentials in election materials and including support statements from residents' autonomous committee members who were not qualified election campaigners."

The Democratic Party strongly opposed Jo's remarks and called for her resignation. Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young said in a briefing on the 27th, "Jo compared a fellow female lawmaker to a 'Joseon Dynasty concubine,' making an unprecedented sexually harassing slur," calling it "an excessive extreme remark and a disgraceful statement that will be remembered forever."

Heo criticized, "It is beyond a slur; it is a clear sexually harassing remark," adding, "It is heartbreaking once again to hear such degrading and sexually harassing slurs from a fellow woman that insult her dignity."

He continued, "Jo should immediately apologize to the victim lawmaker of the sexual harassment slur and apologize to the public. She should also resign from her position as a lawmaker immediately," emphasizing, "The Democratic Party will not overlook this and will take necessary actions such as filing a complaint with the Ethics Committee."

Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Namguk, Park Jumin, and Lee Jaejeong also held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in the afternoon, condemning Jo Sujin's slanderous politics and demanding her resignation.

They said to Jo, "This is a low-quality slander beyond what can be heard or seen in the National Assembly," and "Sincere reflection and apology must be made."

They added, "Her qualifications as a lawmaker are seriously questionable, so we urge her to resign from her position voluntarily," and "She should not try to evade responsibility by 'cutting tails and leaving the party' like other party members but must take responsibility by resigning."

The lawmakers also raised their voices of criticism against Jo through their social media accounts.

Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho, who declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election in April, wrote on his Facebook, "Jo seems not to have the discernment to distinguish between 'biting sarcasm' and 'character assassination,'" adding, "The failure of conservative reform can only be seen as the root cause of this slanderous uproar. She should immediately retract this statement and apologize."

Fellow party member Kim Namguk also said, "No lawmaker in history has made such slander," and "She lacks even the most basic manners required as a person, let alone qualifications as a lawmaker. She must resign immediately. People Power Party should impose strong disciplinary action on Jo," urging.

Ko Min-jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Voices demanding Jo's apology also emerged within the opposition party. Kim Geunsik, a professor at Kyungnam University and a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral by-election, pointed out on his Facebook, "Although she is from the same party and the same region, Jo's remarks this time were excessive."

He said, "Even if you criticize the special treatment of Go Minjeong, who came from the Blue House, the expression 'concubine who bore a prince' is clearly wrong," and "I hope she apologizes for the excessive expression and deletes the post."

When the 'concubine' remark became controversial, Jo posted again on her Facebook the same day, saying, "The person who made personal attacks and slander is Go Minjeong," and "When I criticized personal attacks and slander, the Democratic Party distorted and launched a low-level offensive by nitpicking."

Meanwhile, Go filed a defamation lawsuit against Jo, who compared her to a "Joseon Dynasty concubine." She announced on her Facebook that evening, "I have filed a complaint against Jo. I am also proceeding with a lawsuit regarding the false statement of 'listing false academic credentials in election materials.'"

She also demanded an official apology to the residents of Gwangjin District, saying, "'Being elected riding on the power of mountain power' is a remark that disregards the judgment of the residents who exercised their precious votes."