Democratic Party Without 'Slip of the Tongue Risk'... Will Reflecting 'Makmal' in Nominations Be a Breakthrough?

Song Young-gil 'Eorin-nom', Choi Kang-wook 'Amkeot'... Consecutive Controversies
Democratic Party to Strengthen Speech and Behavior Verification in Nomination Screening

Following former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil's 'young punk' remark, former lawmaker Choi Kang-wook's 'female' comment has put the Democratic Party in what is called a 'verbal slip risk.' The party leadership tried to quell the controversy by imposing a six-month suspension of party membership rights on Choi, but within the party, there are defending voices supporting him, prolonging the fallout. To overcome this risk, the Democratic Party decided to incorporate verification of inappropriate language and behavior into next year's general election candidate screening process.

Earlier, on the 9th, former leader Song was criticized for calling Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon a 'young punk.' In addition, on the 19th, former lawmaker Choi sparked controversy over misogyny by saying, "Even in Animal Farm, you rarely see females causing a fuss," while criticizing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

The party leadership imposed an emergency disciplinary action suspending Choi's party membership for six months on the 22nd, just three days after the controversy, but the repercussions continue. Some party members have defended Choi's remarks. Nam Young-hee, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, defended Choi on a YouTube broadcast the same day, saying, "Why can't he say that? What is so wrong with using 'Animal Farm' as a metaphor to explain the situation?"

After criticism grew, Deputy Director Nam announced her intention to resign. On the 24th, she stated on social media, "I apologize for causing concern to the party and the public with my remarks. Regardless of the reason, I deeply apologize for my thoughtlessness," adding, "I will take full responsibility and step down from my position as deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the controversies repeated, the Democratic Party leadership decided on the 24th to strengthen the verification of candidates' language and behavior for next year's general election. Han Byung-do, secretary of the general election planning team, said after the Supreme Council meeting that day, "The general election planning team will strengthen the verification of candidates regarding inappropriate language and behavior," adding, "The party will verify and reflect in the candidate screening process any vulgar language, controversies, or inappropriate behavior that do not meet the ethical standards of public officials and the public's expectations from the verification committee stage."

Kim Young-jin, the party leader's political affairs coordination chief, explained that the swift disciplinary action against former lawmaker Choi sent a message that "the Democratic Party is resolute against inappropriate remarks and actions."

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Special 1 Radio Today' on the 24th, Kim said, "We respond firmly and principledly to remarks that violate the public's standards, emotions, common sense, and gender equality, and this applies to everyone without exception. The Democratic Party, as a responsible opposition, must be accountable to the public, so we decided firmly to make it clear that every word and action must be reconsidered and aligned with the public's expectations."

He added, "The Democratic Party is not like a frog in a well but acts according to the public's universal standards and perspectives, with moral sensitivity and gender awareness. We will take firm action against acts that politicize issues, causing conflicts within the party and among the public, and the same will apply during the general election."

Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, also said that appropriate measures would be taken against Deputy Director Nam, who made defending remarks. On CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day, Jang said, "I firmly believe there is no need to make defending remarks," adding, "Appropriate measures, including a warning from the secretary-general, are expected regarding Deputy Director Nam."