Hwang Kyo-ik: "'Subak' Is Not a Term Commonly Used by Ilbe" Defends Lee Jae-myung

"Exaggerating a special case as if it were a universal situation to attack"

Food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik (left) and Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province (right). Photo by YouTube channel 'Hwang Kyo-ik TV' capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Amid the dispute between Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province and a Democratic Party presidential primary candidate, and former party leader Lee Nak-yeon over the term "subak" (watermelon), food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik defended Lee Jae-myung, stating that "the term is not commonly used by Ilbe."

On the 23rd, Hwang posted on his Facebook, saying, "If you dig through the Ilbe site, you might find 'subak' somewhere. But they take a rare, special case and exaggerate it as if it were a common situation to attack," he said.

He continued, "I am very familiar with this kind of attack because I have been receiving such attacks for several years since declaring support for Moon Jae-in," adding, "For example, when I said, 'In Japan, they do not leave T-shaped watermelon stems,' they searched Japanese sites to find T-shaped watermelon stems and attacked me as if I were lying. What I said was a general situation, but they brought up a special case that contradicts it to attack."

Hwang said, "I know very well who uses these despicable attack methods. Anyone familiar with the political scene knows this," and raised his voice, "I sincerely hope that these people will no longer have a place in politics through this presidential election."

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon have been engaged in a verbal battle over the term "subak." On the 16th, Lee Nak-yeon's camp issued a statement urging some progressive YouTubers to refrain from using the term "subak." Lee Byung-hoon, a lawmaker and spokesperson for Lee Nak-yeon's presidential campaign, said, "Recently, there have been frequent terrible incidents where some YouTubers and netizens supporting a particular candidate disparage lawmakers and supporters backing Lee Nak-yeon by calling them 'subak.' The term 'subak' is a derogatory nickname originating from Ilbe, an extreme right-wing community, used to express hostility and disparagement toward Honam."

Amid this, Lee Jae-myung stirred controversy by using the term "subak" himself on his Facebook on the 21st. While refuting allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam City, he used the expression "the subak vested interests within us."

In response, Lee Nak-yeon appeared on Yonhap News TV on the 22nd and criticized the term "subak," saying, "It is pointed out as a term that disparages Honam," and added, "(Lee Jae-myung) says it is not, but in such cases, judgment should be based on how the recipient feels. That is sensitivity."