"Now I see, they were holding a Giuje ritual!"... Ruling party flooded with 'harsh criticism' posts

Kim Seong-won (Dongducheon·Yeoncheon) · Choi Chun-sik (Pocheon·Gapyeong) Constituencies, Areas Frequently Affected by Floods
Civic Group from Kwon Seong-dong (Gangneung) Constituency Issues Statement Urging "Immediate Resignation of Floor Leader"

During volunteer flood recovery efforts, a controversy arose over inappropriate remarks made by Kim Seong-won, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, and Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader. [YouTube screen capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] "I feel sorry for the citizens who voted for such people," "Even the show... I'm sad that I supported these guys!", "Party members in Gangwon Province, please wake up for the sake of conservative right-wing in South Korea," "People of Dongducheon City and Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province, watch carefully... Make sure to remember such people...", "Now I see, those XXX guys were performing a rain ritual!!!", "Mr. Joo Ho-young, you should have defended him; how could party members be moved by that?"

Amid growing public outrage against the People Power Party due to inappropriate remarks made during flood relief volunteer activities, harsh criticisms directed at Representative Kim Seong-won and other ruling party lawmakers continue to heat up the party members' bulletin board and related news comment sections.

In particular, calls for the resignation and expulsion of Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong (Gangwon Gangneung), Representative Kim Seong-won (Gyeonggi Dongducheon·Yeoncheon), and Emergency Response Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young (Daegu Suseong-gap) dominate the discourse. These lawmakers' constituencies are known for their strong conservative leanings.

Given that President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating remains stuck in the 20% range, this controversy over the gaffe has further enraged conservative supporters.

Moreover, Kim Seong-won's constituency, Dongducheon City and Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province, is an area frequently affected by floods, amplifying the impact of his remarks.

Despite Kim's official apology, public anger has not subsided easily. Instead, voices demanding his resignation from office and expulsion from the party are growing louder.

However, Kim did not respond to reporters' questions such as "Did you consult with the party leadership before apologizing to the public?" or "What do you think about being referred to the Ethics Committee for disciplinary action?" He also remained silent on leaving the party or resigning from his position.

Earlier, on the 11th, Kim drew public backlash for saying at a flood recovery volunteer site, "Honestly, I hope it rains a bit so the photos come out well."

Emergency Response Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young described Kim's gaffe as "truly disgraceful and a situation where we cannot face the public and party members," suggesting that disciplinary action by the Ethics Committee is inevitable.

Joo initially defended Kim by saying he "usually has a playful nature," but retracted his stance as the controversy escalated.

On the 11th, Joo Ho-young, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the flood recovery volunteer site in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap News]

Statements by Representative Choi Chun-sik (Gyeonggi Pocheon·Gapyeong), who volunteered at the same location as Kim, also came under scrutiny.

Choi said, "As long as the Soyang Dam doesn't overflow, we're fine," which drew criticism questioning, "Is it okay if only your constituency is safe?" He later clarified, "That was not my intention at all."

Negative public opinion toward Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong (Gangwon Gangneung), who has been at the center of multiple controversies due to repeated gaffes, has escalated beyond criticism to calls for his resignation from both the floor leader position and his seat in the National Assembly.

Criticism of Kwon has even emerged from his hometown and constituency, Gangneung.

During the presidential office's private hiring controversy, the Gangneung Citizens' Action Group issued a statement demanding, "Kwon, responsible for hiring corruption, apologize to the youth nationwide and Gangneung citizens and immediately resign from his duties as acting party leader and floor leader." Subsequently, Kwon stepped down as acting party leader.

Kwon has been involved in major scandals including the reversal of the agreement with the Democratic Party on the 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority' (Geomsu Wanbak), pressure related to private hiring at the presidential office, derogatory remarks about level 9 public officials, and the exposure of text messages with President Yoon in the National Assembly plenary session.

Within the party, calls to hold a confidence vote on Kwon's leadership are growing, but Kwon expressed displeasure, saying, "You have to speak reasonably," and dismissed the possibility of resigning as floor leader or participating in the emergency response committee.

Since President Yoon's inauguration, the People Power Party has suffered greatly due to multiple gaffes by Floor Leader Kwon.

As the party prepares to launch an emergency response committee to manage internal conflicts, the flood recovery volunteer activities, ambitiously planned to win public favor, have instead triggered a fierce backlash due to ruling party lawmakers' gaffes, placing the government and ruling party in crisis.