The Reform New Party announced on the 15th that it has canceled the nomination of candidate Lee Gi-won from Seocheon·Boryeong, Chungnam, who was previously involved in a controversy over derogatory remarks about the Japanese military comfort women statue.
In a written briefing on the same day, the Reform New Party explained, "Although the nomination was approved considering that the remarks were made 7 years ago, the issue has resurfaced online, damaging the party's reputation," and added, "Since the candidate has neither withdrawn nor reflected on those views, we have no choice but to cancel the nomination."
Earlier, in 2017, candidate Lee stated on his Facebook, regarding the comfort women statue, "It looks like a daughter or granddaughter posting a notice in the neighborhood to remember history about their mother or grandmother being raped."
He also claimed, "In Goryeo there were 'Gongnyeo,' in Joseon 'Hwanhyangnyeo,' during the Japanese occupation 'comfort women,' and under military government 'camptown women'?all share the commonality of having made a significant contribution to the globalization of Korean women."
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, met with reporters after the party's highest council meeting that morning and said, "I apologize to the public for not being aware of this during the nomination process, and we will respond strictly and immediately if such incidents occur in the future."
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
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