Ham Se-ung Criticized by Political Circles over 'Bangul Controversy'... "Misogyny" "Nonsense Rant"

Im Se-eun "A Common Occurrence at Book Launch Events"

At the book launch event of former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, Father Ham Se-ung, a senior figure in the opposition, sparked controversy by saying that "men with bells are worse than former Minister Choo," targeting former President Moon Jae-in and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon. The ruling party criticized the remarks as "typical male chauvinism," while opposition figures called it a "nonsense rant."

On the 1st, Lee Yong-ho, a member of the People Power Party, criticized Father Ham's remarks on his social media, saying, "Father Ham, who is steeped in typical male chauvinism, should apologize to women."

At the book launch event held the previous day at the Jogyesa Traditional Culture and Arts Performance Hall in Jongno-gu, Father Ham referred to the time in 2020 when former Minister Choo pushed for disciplinary action against then Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, stating, "At that time, former President Moon, former Prime Minister Lee, secretaries, and ministers were all men. They failed to embrace the determination and decisiveness of women, which led to the Yoon Seok-youl prosecutorial dictatorship."

However, Lee pointed out that this is closer to "male chauvinism." He said, "This is a misogynistic remark and an insult to former Minister Choo," adding, "It reflects the mindset that women are inferior to men, a misogynistic comment comparable to Choi Kang-wook's 'female' remark."

He continued, "I cannot believe such remarks came from a religious figure. As a fellow man, I am ashamed," and demanded, "Which era does he live in? He should apologize to all women around the world."

Park Won-seok, a former Justice Party lawmaker and one of the leaders of the 'third zone,' also criticized on social media, saying, "Authoritarianism is not only a problem of dictatorship or the conservative camp, and nonsense rants are nonsense rants regardless of who says them," and questioned, "Regardless of whose side one takes, is such a standard or expression appropriate for a religious figure and senior elder?"

He added, "I do not agree at all with the idea that casting narrow-minded partisan standards on politics and meddling in it while claiming the role of a democratization elder or demanding special treatment is acceptable," and emphasized, "It is a natural right and virtue for citizens to participate in politics and express opinions, but their weight is equal to that of other fellow citizens."

On the other hand, there are opinions that it was "just to praise former Minister Choo." Im Se-eun, a former deputy spokesperson for the Blue House under the Moon Jae-in administration, said on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "Praising the protagonist and cheering for them is always part of a book launch event," adding, "It was a story meant to express that former Minister Choo is more determined and resolute than most male politicians."

She also said, "While word choice should be careful regardless of party, since Father Ham is not a politician, it seems that the expression suited him."