Choo Mi-ae: "'Subak' as a slur against Honam? Absurd"

Lee Jae-myung "Watermelon Privilege"... Lee Nak-yeon Side "Honam Insult Ilbe Term"

On the afternoon of the 19th, at the Gwangju MBC Public Hall in Nam-gu, Gwangju, Choo Mi-ae, a preliminary candidate, is speaking at the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate debate. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, sparked controversy over 'Honam disparagement' by using the term 'subak' (watermelon) while refuting allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project. In response, his intra-party rival, former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, defended him on the 23rd, saying, "The claim that this disparages Honam or any specific region is absurd."

Former Minister Choo said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "supporters frustrated with reformers who only talk but do not act have expressed disappointment in the Democratic Party, and I understand that the term 'subak' (watermelon) was used as a metaphor for this, meaning something that looks good on the outside but is different inside," adding this explanation.

Earlier, on the 21st, Lee used the expression "subak vested interests within us" on his Facebook to refute allegations regarding the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, which stirred controversy.

He criticized, "Now, even conservative media, the People Power Party, and figures within the Democratic Party are criticizing us for insufficient profit recovery, which is simply frustrating," and added, "The subak vested interests within us who subtly pressured me to give up on public development."

Former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon is holding a press conference appealing for support on the 22nd at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, the camp of former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon criticized the term 'subak' as an expression that insults Honam. They claimed that 'subak' is used on the far-right website 'Ilbe' to disparage the May 18 citizen soldiers.

Lee Byung-hoon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and spokesperson for Lee Nak-yeon's campaign, issued a statement saying, "'Subak' is a term used by Ilbe following 'hongeo' (fermented skate fish)," and criticized, "It is a truly unacceptable expression that uses a symbol of the May 18 victims as a derogatory term. I was really shocked that a presidential candidate used such an expression."

He further pointed out, "It is an insult to the pride of Honam people and the spirits of the May 18 victims," and added, "Even if the person did not intend it, if those who hear it feel disgust and shame, it is a serious problem."

In response, Park Chan-dae, chief spokesperson for Lee Jae-myung's campaign and Democratic Party lawmaker, said at a regular briefing, "'Subak' means something that looks different on the outside and inside," and questioned, "No one knows that 'subak' is a term related to Honam, and I am hearing this for the first time as well. Why connect this to Honam disparagement? Isn't this a self-discredit by (former leader Lee Nak-yeon's camp)?"