[Summary] "Isn't it better if Lee Jun-seok's parents' hometown is Hwagyo?" Regional slur controversy involving Kang Seong-beom, finally apologizes

Apology via Comments on Own YouTube Channel
"Problematic Remarks Deleted from Video... No Excuse"
Former Supreme Council Member Lee Jun-seok: "Subpar Broadcast Due to Left-Right Collaboration"
"Neither Daegu nor Hwagyos Should Be Subject to Disparagement"

Comedian Kang Seong-beom, who runs the YouTube channel 'Kang Seong-beom tv'. / Photo by YouTube capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Comedian Kang Seongbeom, who was embroiled in controversy for allegedly making derogatory remarks about a region towards the parents of former People Power Party Supreme Council member Lee Junseok, bowed his head in apology after just one day.

On the 20th, Kang Seongbeom stated on his YouTube channel 'Kang Seongbeom TV' through a comment, "There were expressions in the video that belittled Daegu and the Hwagyo (ethnic Chinese in Korea). Although I deleted those parts, I left the video itself up because deleting it seemed like trying to avoid criticism," adding, "I apologize to the people of Daegu and the Hwagyo who felt uncomfortable watching the video, to Mr. Lee Junseok's parents, and to my subscribers."

He continued, "There is no excuse," and bowed his head saying, "I was wrong. I am sorry."

Earlier, on the 19th, in a video posted on 'Kang Seongbeom TV,' he said, "When former Supreme Council member Lee ranked first in the polls, theme stocks related to Lee Junseok started to appear on portals," and added, "There was even talk that 'Lee Junseok's father is Hwagyo.'"

He went on, "Lee Junseok explained, 'That is an absurd slander. Both my father and mother are from Daegu,'" and said, "Personally, I thought being Hwagyo might be better."

Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

In response to these remarks, the panelists who were broadcasting together burst into laughter and said, "This is racial discrimination. Apologize," but also joked, "Isn't it the same anyway whether you have a passport from Daegu or China?"

Kang Seongbeom replied, "I am sorry," but added, "That thought just crossed my mind."

However, netizens who saw the video criticized Kang Seongbeom for making derogatory remarks about a specific region and ethnicity. One netizen said, "He doesn't even seem to realize that what he said is a regional slur," and added, "As someone from Daegu, I am really angry."

Another netizen pointed out, "As a celebrity, he made remarks that should never be uttered," and said, "He should apologize quickly."

Amid the growing controversy, former Supreme Council member Lee also criticized Kang Seongbeom in a post on his Facebook that day. He said, "I don't know what the intention behind saying that being Hwagyo is better than being from Daegu is," and added, "Everyone is falling apart over a few bucks."

He continued, "They are producing substandard broadcasts through left-right collusion," emphasizing, "Neither Daegu nor the Hwagyo should be targets of disparagement."

Meanwhile, Kang Seongbeom debuted in 1996 as a comedian in SBS's 5th public recruitment class. He became known to the public through the KBS comedy program 'Gag Concert,' where he played the character 'Sudaman.' Currently, he runs the pro-government political YouTube channel 'Kang Seongbeom TV,' where he continues to comment on political issues.