Do Tae-woo, Jang Ye-chan, and Jeong Bong-ju Apologize for Past Remarks via SNS
As the general election intensifies, some candidates are busy issuing apologies and writing letters of reflection. As their past remarks come under renewed scrutiny and cause controversy after becoming candidates, they are hurriedly bowing their heads to protect their nominations and avoid becoming a burden to their parties.
On the 13th, Jang Ye-chan, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on social networking service (SNS), "There were inappropriate and unrefined expressions in my past SNS posts that caused concern," and "I sincerely apologize with a bowed head." Jang expressed remorse, saying, "Although it was 10 years ago when I was 26, before I was involved in broadcasting or politics, I believe I should have been more careful with unrefined expressions."
The reason former Supreme Council member Jang, who is running for the National Assembly seat in Suyeong District, Busan, had to apologize during the election campaign for something that happened 10 years ago is because his past SNS posts were pointed out through an official statement by the Democratic Party of Korea. The Democratic Party selected potentially controversial parts from Jang’s past SNS posts and raised issues.
Do Tae-woo, a lawyer who received the nomination for Daegu Jung-gu and Nam-gu, also apologized via SNS the day before. Do, who became embroiled in controversy over remarks about the "North Korean involvement theory in the May 18 Democratic Uprising," said, "First, I apologize to the people and all members of the party for causing concern," and "I sincerely apologize again for the uproar caused by my personal remarks five years ago, which were immature and failed to fully embody the spirit of the party."
In Do’s case, the remarks caused such a huge stir that the nomination itself was reconsidered. However, after Do apologized and stated, "As a party member and candidate, I fully respect the party’s position on including the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the preamble of the Constitution, and I respect and faithfully carry on the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising that fights for liberal democracy," he was barely able to maintain his nomination eligibility.
In the Democratic Party as well, former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju, who was nominated for the Gangbuk-gu Eul district in Seoul, apologized for his criticized remark about crutch giveaways. Jeong said on SNS, "Immediately after my past 'crutch giveaway' remark, I personally apologized by phone to the person involved and promptly deleted related videos," and "I sincerely apologize for my past remarks with the same heart then and now." The remark was made during a 2017 YouTube broadcast but resurfaced and caused controversy after his nomination. The comment was suspected of referring to an incident where soldiers conducting a search operation in the DMZ lost their legs due to a landmine planted by North Korean troops, drawing severe criticism.
The reason candidates quickly apologize when controversies arise is largely based on the judgment that even a single remark could negatively affect the election outcome. Both ruling and opposition parties worry that the election landscape could be shaken by just one comment. Moreover, there is significant concern, especially at the stage when nominations are not yet finalized, that the nomination itself could be jeopardized, as in the case of lawyer Do.
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