Controversy Over 'Soyang Dam' Remarks by Choi Cheon-sik, "I Was Talking About the Characteristics of the Constituency"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Choi Cheon-sik, a member of the People Power Party who sparked controversy by saying at a flood relief volunteer site, "Our area is fine as long as the Soyang Dam does not overflow," explained that he was "talking about the characteristics of the constituency."

On the 12th, Choi stated in an official position, "Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong asked me, 'Is the flood damage in the area okay?' and I responded that due to the 'geographical characteristics' of my constituency Gapyeong, there is no damage as long as the Soyang Dam does not overflow."

Earlier, on the 11th, Kim Seong-won, also from the People Power Party, caused controversy by saying at a flood damage recovery volunteer activity in Sadang-dong, Seoul, "I hope it rains so the photos come out well," and eventually issued a public apology that day.

In relation to this, when criticism arose that Choi's remarks were also inappropriate to make at a flood relief volunteer site, Choi hurriedly issued an explanation. He said, "On the 10th, I visited the Disaster and Safety Situation Room at Gapyeong County Office to discuss countermeasures against the discharge from Soyang River Dam, and at the same time, I closely cooperated with the Korea Water Resources Corporation. As a result, we adjusted the discharge volume to take preemptive measures to prevent areas like Jaraseom in Gapyeong from flooding." He added, "In that context, I said that if the Soyang Dam does not overflow, there would be no damage in the area."

Meanwhile, despite Kim's apology, the controversy surrounding his inappropriate remarks has not subsided. On the same day, Joo Ho-young, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, told reporters, "I will decide to file an ethics committee complaint as the emergency committee chairman in the near future." When asked about Choi's 'Soyang Dam' remarks, he replied, "I am not fully aware of the context before and after the remarks, so I will look into it. Since the Soyang Dam is large, I think he said that it would be a big problem if it overflowed, but I will check it out."