Handonghun "Calling my opinion 'behavior'..." O Sehun "Unrefined expression"

"Ruling Party Politicians Should Minimize Expressing Opinions on SNS"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that he now thinks the word "behavior" he used in a post regarding the controversy over overseas direct purchase regulations, which former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon criticized, was an unrefined expression.

On the afternoon of the 21st, Mayor Oh wrote on Facebook, "Even if we have slightly different opinions, I believe that all members of our party and the government share the same concern for the health and safety of the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, former Chairman Han, who criticized the government's ban on direct overseas purchases as excessive regulation, wrote on Facebook that day, "The Seoul Mayor said my opinion was improper 'behavior,'" adding, "Not many would agree with treating constructive opinions in a liberal democratic society as 'behavior' issues." This was in response to Mayor Oh's statement the previous day that "Safety and corporate protection are values that cannot be abandoned even considering some inconvenience to direct purchase users, and pointing out the entire policy as having major problems is disappointing 'behavior' for a senior ruling party member."

Regarding his use of the word "behavior," Mayor Oh indirectly apologized but emphasized, "However, ruling party politicians should keep their opinions on SNS to the bare minimum whenever possible." He continued, "Senior members can directly contact and consult with the Presidential Office, Prime Minister's Office, and ministers or vice ministers if necessary," explaining, "I meant that there are sufficient internal channels to utilize, and it is unhealthy to only show off without using them."

Since the previous day, Mayor Oh has posted consecutively with the intention that overseas direct purchase regulations are necessary. After criticism from former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and others, he stressed a "healthy party-government relationship," saying, "If you are a ruling party lawmaker, shouldn't your priority be to propose alternatives to the government and lead the work constructively rather than posting on Facebook?"