"My Brother is Obviously My Husband"... Calls for Resignation Follow After People Power Party Spokesperson Posts Marriage Celebration Message

Spokesperson Posts on 20th Wedding Anniversary
“Oppa, Of Course My Husband” Clarification

Kim Hye-ran, the spokesperson for the People Power Party, is facing backlash after posting a personal message on Facebook referring to her spouse as ‘oppa.’ Some within the party raised concerns that it might be mocking First Lady Kim Keon-hee.

Kim Hye-ran, spokesperson for the People Power Party. [Photo by Kim Hye-ran, member of the People Power Party, Facebook]

Kang Myung-gu, a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction lawmaker, reportedly called Kim’s Facebook post "a clear and intentional mockery" in the party’s group chat on the 19th, according to multiple sources.

Referring to the scheduled meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Party Leader Han Dong-hoon on the 21st, Kang said, "At a time just before an important meeting, this behavior is highly inappropriate for a party spokesperson," and demanded her resignation.

It is known that several lawmakers expressed agreement with this view.

The day before, Kim posted a wedding photo on Facebook with the message, "Oppa, I’m sorry for making you campaign like crazy and disappointing you as a 20th-anniversary gift. Thank you for silently being there without nagging when I was having a hard time." In the post, she referred to her spouse as ‘oppa’ and added in parentheses, "At this time, oppa is the pot-bellied oppa who has been lazing around our house for 20 years."

Some within the party pointed out that this ‘oppa’ expression recalled the term used in KakaoTalk messages exchanged between First Lady Kim and Myung Tae-gyun, suggesting it might be mocking the First Lady. Some ruling party supporters reportedly sent text message attacks criticizing Kim Hye-ran.

As the controversy grew, Kim deleted the parenthetical sentence and clarified on Facebook, "Oppa is obviously my husband," adding, "I have received many abusive messages accusing me of mocking the First Lady without any basis, but I do not understand how this interpretation arises."

She further stated, "There is evidence that someone maliciously leaked my personal phone number on internet communities and carried out collective cyberterrorism. All involved parties must bear legal responsibility," signaling her intention to take legal action.

Earlier, First Lady Kim caused controversy by writing in KakaoTalk messages exchanged with Myung, "Our oppa, who is immature and noisy, please forgive him. When you’re ignorant, that’s just how it is." The Presidential Office clarified through a media statement that the ‘oppa’ referred to is not President Yoon Suk-yeol but the First Lady’s biological older brother.