"Trash" "Backward Guy"... Why Is Han Dong-hoon's Speech Getting Rougher?

In Busan, "Lee Jae-myung's Trash-Like Insult Toward Sister-in-Law"
Some View It as an Attempt to Rally Supporters and Reflects Impatience

About a week before the general election, Han Dong-hoon, the emergency response committee chairman of the People Power Party, has been increasingly using harsh language, repeatedly mentioning terms like "trash" and "backward guy." While some interpret this as an attempt to rally the support base and bring voters to the polls, others analyze it as a reflection of impatience and a move toward a dangerous level.

Handonghun, the Chief Election Strategy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is appealing for support along with candidates Kim Youngju and Park Yongchan at Yeongjin Market in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@ Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

On the 1st, during a campaign rally in Yeonje-gu, Busan, Chairman Han raised his voice, saying, "Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, really used trash-like insults against his sister-in-law," and added, "After it was revealed, he cried apologizing to the people, but that was crocodile tears." In Haeundae, Busan, he said, "Lee Jae-myung and Cho Kuk, the leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, whine to the people to protect themselves." Furthermore, in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, he emphasized, "Those who are not interested in politics might think it's okay because backward people handle politics anyway, but that should not be the case," adding, "Otherwise, a more backward guy will dominate you. A more backward guy will swagger around."

Since starting the election campaign, Chairman Han has raised the intensity of his remarks. On the 28th of last month, during a rally in Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, he said, "The problem is people who do politics like dogs." Jang Dong-hyuk, the secretary-general of the People Power Party, responded to the controversy over Han's harsh remarks by saying, "I understand that from the next rally, the expressions were changed," and added, "There may be people who feel those expressions are excessive."

Nevertheless, Chairman Han's language became even harsher. On the 30th of last month, during a rally in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, he referred to Kim Jun-hyuk, the Democratic Party candidate for Suwon City who was embroiled in controversy over derogatory remarks about former President Park Chung-hee, saying, "The trash-like words of Kim Jun-hyuk and Lee Jae-myung are exactly the philosophy they put in their heads and implement through politics when they seize power, ruling over you," and added, "I despise people who do politics like trash." Even aside from harsh language, Chairman Han repeatedly made strong statements such as, "We will win the fight against crime. This is a war against crime, just like a movie title."

While preparing for this general election, Chairman Han issued a 'harsh language warning' within the party. When controversy arose last month on the 5th over People Power Party candidate Sung Il-jong referring to Ito Hirobumi, the first governor-general of the Joseon Government-General, as a 'talent,' he responded swiftly. At that time, Chairman Han sent a text message to key party officials saying, "Please be more careful to prevent inappropriate remarks ahead of the general election." On the 27th of last month, during an on-site election committee meeting in Namdong-gu, Incheon, he said, "I hope you take Chairman Lee as a negative example. He repeats outrageous remarks every day."

The opposition parties have focused their attacks on Chairman Han's increasingly harsh remarks. Lee Hae-chan, co-chairman of the Democratic Party's central election committee, criticized at the central election committee meeting held the previous day at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "Listening to the ruling party leadership's remarks, it has reached an unacceptable level."