Gominjeong on Yoon's Shoe-Stomping Photo Controversy: "At First, I Thought He Was Someone Who Didn't Know Much..."

Yoon's 'Train Seat Shoe Stomp' Controversy... "Due to Leg Cramp"

Ko Min-jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, sparked controversy after a photo was released showing him inside a train with his shoes on, resting his feet on the seat opposite him. In response, Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Yoon for two consecutive days.

On the 14th, Go posted on her Facebook page a message titled "That seat is not a place to be dirtied by Candidate Yoon's shoe-clad feet," stating, "At first, I thought he was just someone who didn’t know much. But now, I am certain he is someone who should never hold power."

She added, "After seeing the People Power Party’s explanation that 'due to a mild leg cramp, he asked his aides for understanding and briefly raised his legs,' I want to ask Yoon Seok-yeol what the people mean to you," and criticized, "He should have said, 'I sincerely apologize for any reason. I will accept the public’s criticism humbly.'"

She continued, "Your action is more than just dirtying a chair or violating public morals."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, was captured placing his feet with shoes on an empty train seat, sparking controversy. Photo by Facebook screen capture.

The controversy began when Lee Sang-il, the full-time aide to candidate Yoon and the head of the People Power Party’s Yongin-byeong district committee, posted the photo on his Facebook page on the 13th.

Along with the photo of Yoon, Lee wrote, "The 'Passion Train,' which carried the People Power Party’s and candidate Yoon’s passion, sincerity, and policies to Honam, departed from Jeonju on the morning of the 12th and visited Namwon, Suncheon, and Yeosu. I believe it was a huge success." In the photo, Yoon is seen resting both feet on the opposite seat while still wearing his shoes, which sparked the controversy.

The 'Passion Train' was a project where the People Power Party chartered four cars of the Mugunghwa train, aiming to increase communication with residents of small and medium-sized cities that the candidate could not easily visit in person.

Regarding this, Go said, "There must have been a reason why the People Power Party chose the Mugunghwa train instead of the KTX for the Passion Train project. It was probably meant to symbolize breathing together with the common people," adding, "The Mugunghwa train is the legs of the common people and a space filled with countless stories."

She continued, "Our mothers and fathers, who have spent their lives farming and cannot straighten their legs and backs due to physical hardships, ride the Mugunghwa train instead of the KTX to save even a little money," and directly criticized, "The empty seat where you placed your shoes without even taking them off is a place mixed with the consideration and suffering of countless common people."

She further stated, "You respond with a careless attitude, saying that if you have a mild leg cramp, it’s acceptable to do this with your shoes on in the chair worn out by the joys and sorrows of the common people," and criticized, "You should either stop pretending to be one of the common people or, if you are going to do it, at least memorize not to behave like this."

Moreover, she concluded her post by saying, "The president must be a friend to the most vulnerable, the most suffering, and the weakest. It is neither a position to give orders like a subordinate, nor to imprison innocent people just because they disagree with you, nor a place where your shoe-clad feet can dirty our seats."

Earlier, Go had also criticized on her Facebook page the day before, saying, "It’s embarrassing to be seen by anyone. People Power Party presidential candidate." As the controversy intensified, the People Power Party’s campaign headquarters public relations team issued a statement saying, "Due to a mild leg cramp caused by long hours of travel, he asked his aides for understanding and briefly raised his legs," and added, "We regret the lack of attention to detail."