Opposition Criticizes Song Young-gil's 'Young Kid' Remark... "Immature Human" "Decline of 586"

Iwonwook "Is It Okay to Engage in Such Hate Politics?"
Ryuhogjeong "Even Among Old Farts, Such Profanity Is Rare"

Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil has sparked controversy within the opposition for his use of the term "eorin-nom" (meaning "young kid" or "brat") to refer to Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, drawing criticism even from within the opposition ranks.

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoo Jeong-joo, who had echoed Song's remarks by saying "It makes me want to vomit" about Minister Han, changed her stance within a day, stating she would "exercise restraint."

Lee Won-wook, a non-mainstream Democratic Party lawmaker, expressed concern on June 15 on KBS's special radio program 'Radio Today' saying, "Expressions like 'eorin-nom' and 'huji-da' (meaning 'lousy' or 'shabby') are being thrown around recklessly, but I think these are roles that politicians really should not play." He added, "It seems like these actions are causing the downfall of the 586 (people in their 50s, university entrants in the 1980s, born in the 1960s) and 486 politicians."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Last week, at a book launch event held at Jogyesa Temple, former leader Song sparked controversy by saying about Minister Han, "That eorin-nom came to the National Assembly and mocked and humiliated not only the 300 lawmakers who are his seniors in life but also many who are senior prosecutors."

Lawmaker Lee said, "Putting aside his personal issues, whether we call ourselves 586 or 486, he is dragging down all those politicians," adding, "The recent behavior shown is really making me wonder if it is acceptable for a representative 586 politician to use such language? Is it okay to engage in such hateful politics?"

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, also criticized on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that "Even attaching the term 'kkondae' (a slang term for a male elder with a condescending attitude) might be inappropriate," and said, "It makes me think that he is just somewhat immature as a person."

She added, "Even among kkondae, it is rare to hear such profanity," and "When he declared his candidacy for party leader in April 2021, he said we must overcome kkondae politics, but it seems he has proven that the Democratic Party has failed to overcome kkondae politics. A person who has held public office and served as party leader should never say such things." The term 'kkondae' is a slang referring to an older man.

Yoo, who had joined in the harsh criticism of Minister Han by saying, "You're not even that young, but you are ruining politics," later posted on social media, "I will also exercise restraint, so please refrain from calling our politicians with hateful language that is hard to even say out loud. How about we make that a promise?"

The pro-Moon faction within the Democratic Party also distanced themselves from Song's remarks. Jeong Seong-ho, a leading figure of the pro-Moon faction, said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Song Young-gil is no longer a member of the National Assembly; he is a private citizen," adding, "Although he is currently a private citizen and not a lawmaker, it is inappropriate to refer to a minister as 'eorin X' or use such language."