Former Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook, who recently criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration at a book concert using the expression "설치는 암컷" (literally "the females causing trouble"), prompting a warning from the party leadership, was pointed out by Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as a pro-Lee Jae-myung (친명) leader, who said, "He should apologize and exercise restraint."
On the 22nd, Jeong said on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" program, "No matter how much he explains his true intention, it is very inappropriate, and such expressions should not be used."
On the 19th, former lawmaker Choi criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration at a book concert hosted by lawmaker Min Hyung-bae, saying, "(In George Orwell's) Animal Farm, female animals rarely cause trouble or act up," which sparked controversy. The party leadership issued a warning, and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung indicated disciplinary action by stating, "We will respond strictly without tolerance to inappropriate language and behavior."
It appears they are trying to minimize the risk of verbal controversies ahead of the general election. Jeong said, "There have been several cases where the course of the general election changed because of a single word. Since these incidents happened within our party, it is difficult for me to speak about them, but we really need to be careful," adding, "The public is watching the attitude and dignity of lawmakers more than anything else."
He continued, "Although former lawmaker Choi is not a current member, he is still a Democratic Party lawmaker. If he truly cares about the party, I hope he would act with more dignity. Also, if party lawmakers hear such remarks in such settings, they should immediately apologize and restrain the speaker on the spot."
There were reports that a heated debate occurred in the Democratic Party lawmakers' chatroom over Choi's remarks. Jeong said, "Where is there any secret in the political arena these days? Regarding this issue, everyone in the party should apologize to the public and show an attitude that such incidents will not happen again. Isn't that necessary?"
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