Democrats Say "Not Apology but Resignation Needed" from Chief Hwang Sang-mu over 'HoeKal Terror'

The Democratic Party of Korea has once again called for the dismissal of Hwang Sang-mu, Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office, following his apology regarding the mention of the 'kitchen knife terror incident.'

Hwang Sang-mu, Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 16th, Chief Spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung stated in a written briefing, "Dismiss 'Press Intimidation Chief Secretary Hwang Sang-mu' immediately," adding, "Hwang's apology is not something to quietly overlook. Responsible conduct means resignation, not an apology."

Spokesperson Kwon criticized, "Gathering reporters and saying 'listen carefully' while recalling the journalist terror incident can only be interpreted as a warning that if you criticize the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, you must be prepared to face a kitchen knife attack."

He further stated, "The Senior Secretary for Civil Society, who should work for civic integration and communication, is blatantly threatening the public, so he is not a Senior Secretary for Civil Society but a 'Press Intimidation Chief Secretary.'"

He urged, "President Yoon Seok-yeol must abandon the authoritarian regime's mindset and policies and immediately dismiss Hwang, who casually utters threats with a distorted view of the press," adding, "If no action is taken, President Yoon will be considered to be endorsing Hwang Sang-mu's remarks."