Hwang Unha "Most Yoon Supporters Are Low-Educated, Poor, and Elderly"... Apologizes After Controversy
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid controversy over Hwang Unha, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, making disparaging remarks about supporters of Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, on the 30th, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, pointed out, "The attitude of criticizing and lecturing the people who support candidate Yoon is very arrogant and dangerous."
On the same day, Song posted on his Facebook a post titled "The high approval rating of candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is a point for our Democratic Party to reflect on," expressing this view.
He said, "I have consistently argued that the fact that a person who served as Prosecutor General under the Moon Jae-in administration was elected as the opposition party's presidential candidate and has a high approval rating is something we need to reflect on. How much must they dislike us for that to happen?"
He continued, "Then, through internal reflection, we need to look back on why the people support someone whom we see as a lifelong prosecutor without proven presidential administrative ability, and who has prosecuted two former presidents from the People Power Party, so strongly."
Song also emphasized, "Above all, our Democratic Party, together with candidate Lee Jae-myung, will reflect on past mistakes and humbly work together to create a vision for the future of Korea," adding, "We will boldly correct what is wrong."
Furthermore, he added, "I want to reiterate that Democratic Party members and campaign officials should not take an attitude of lecturing the people but should humbly listen and reflect on ourselves," and concluded, "I will start with myself."
Earlier, on the 28th, Representative Hwang claimed on his Facebook, "Except for about 1% of the privileged class, most of Yoon Seok-yeol's supporters are low-educated, impoverished, and elderly," which sparked controversy, leading him to delete the statement.
The next day, he apologized through Facebook, saying, "While rereading my post late at night the next morning, I found some inappropriate parts and made corrections. Although the original draft was revised during the editing process, I sincerely apologize if anyone who saw it overnight felt uncomfortable."
Meanwhile, the People Power Party criticized Hwang's remarks, saying, "He shamelessly made statements that insult the people." Lee Yang-su, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party's campaign, said in a statement, "The people, hurt and betrayed by the Moon Jae-in administration over the past five years, have commanded a regime change through the People Power Party. This is the clear reason why they are giving warm support and backing to the opposition party's presidential candidate."
He continued, "However, Representative Hwang defined those who send such hopes and support as 'low-educated, impoverished, and elderly.' This is a despicable remark that is too low even to be called a divisive statement," and sharply criticized, "'Low-educated, impoverished, and elderly' support is being dismissed as unimportant, and the candidate supported by them should not become president?this is an outrageous statement."
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