[On-site Video] "What Does GSGG Mean?" Citizens Sigh Amid Politicians' Repeated Controversies

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Yoon Jin-geun] "As a citizen who voted, I feel ashamed.", "I wish you would think before you speak."

Recently, a series of verbal clashes among politicians have been causing frowns among the public watching them. While political figures can engage in political remarks and disputes, there are criticisms that the extent has gone too far.

On the 1st, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, described lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo, who declared "I will execute infant rapists and murderers," as "Duterte-style."

President Duterte declared a so-called "war on drugs" after taking office and implemented summary executions by shooting nearly 4,000 drug suspects on the spot, which sparked controversy. Former Prosecutor General Yoon's remark is interpreted as a criticism that lawmaker Hong's thinking is no different from President Duterte's.

After visiting the Central Association of the Korean Senior Citizens in Yongsan-gu on the same day, former Prosecutor General Yoon responded to reporters' questions about how he viewed lawmaker Hong's remarks by saying, "It is somewhat Duterte-style for the head of the executive branch, the president, to comment on judicial enforcement related to criminal punishment."

He added, "Strong punishment for heinous criminals is something all citizens desire, and our legal system is designed accordingly." He continued, "If the system does not properly respond to heinous criminals, I believe the president should thoroughly understand the issue and cooperate with the National Assembly to create the appropriate system."

In response, lawmaker Hong criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon on his Facebook post, saying, "President Moon Jae-in was Duterte, and you were Duterte's henchman." He also accused former Prosecutor General Yoon of aggressively investigating over 1,000 conservative figures when President Moon ordered the so-called deep-rooted corruption investigations, saying, "He caused five people to commit suicide."

Meanwhile, the so-called 'GSGG' controversy also erupted. On the 30th of last month, Kim Seung-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker and vice-chairman of the Democratic Party's Media Innovation Special Committee, led the effort to pass the amendment to the Media Arbitration Act. When the bill's submission to the National Assembly plenary session was blocked, he posted on his Facebook, "Thank you so much, Park Byeong-seok, this will go down in history, GSGG."

Subsequently, he faced criticism that 'GSGG' evoked the swear word 'gaeXX' and that he committed a breach of etiquette by addressing Speaker Park Byeong-seok without honorifics.

When controversy arose over whether he publicly insulted the Speaker of the National Assembly, he edited his post. Lawmaker Kim revised it to say, "However, the governor must not forget the duty to faithfully serve the general will of the people." He explained that GSGG stands for "Government serve(s) general G" (government serving the general will). However, he did not explain why the last initial 'G' represents 'will.'

Citizens who witnessed the politicians embroiled in controversy expressed discomfort. On the afternoon of the 2nd, A, a company employee in their 20s met at Cheonggye Plaza in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "They are members of the National Assembly and representatives of the people, so they have considerable influence, but it is not desirable for them to behave like that on SNS or interviews where many people can see. They should be careful in their choice of words."

Another office worker, B (27), said, "It is pathetic as a citizen who voted because the fighting scenes among politicians seem to be repeated all the time," adding, "I think they misuse SNS. Politicians created SNS to communicate with the public, but their intentions and actions differ. I wish they would think before they speak."

C (26) said, "They are educated people and representatives of the people, so I hope they think once before they speak," pointing out, "Actually, words can be nuanced, so I hope they refrain from using blunt expressions."

Experts analyzed that the recent series of slips of the tongue and excessive criticism by politicians might be a kind of calculated behavior. They believe politicians use verbal clashes and disputes as a means of self-promotion.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "There are cases where politicians intentionally use harsh language," explaining, "Even if they receive some criticism, it is important to make their presence known, and they probably judge that it helps their political activities." He added, "However, it is questionable whether this will be as effective as in the past," emphasizing, "In the past, intentional harsh remarks were evaluated as 'refreshing statements' and helped create support bases or fandoms. But recently, the public shows considerable rejection of harsh language. This is a change in political culture compared to the past, and politicians should recognize that public sentiment toward negative attacks and harsh language is changing."