"Let's Call Him 'President Yoon Gakha' to Urge Impeachment Dismissal"... Post Quickly Deleted Amid Controversy

Deleted the Post Quickly After Uploading to Social Media
"Gakha" Was an Honorific Used for Presidents During the Authoritarian Era

Lee Cheolwoo, the governor of Gyeongbuk Province and a member of the People Power Party, posted on social media on the 12th suggesting that President Yoon Seokyoul should be addressed as "Gakha (閣下)." Seemingly aware of the controversy, he deleted the post shortly afterward. Governor Lee's claim was that, since the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial should be "dismissed (却下)," President Yoon should be called "Gakha," as the two words are pronounced the same in Korean. On the morning of that day, he wrote on Facebook, "In these serious times, let's start a movement to address President Yoon as 'Gakha,' since even if the meaning is different, the pronunciation is the same, in hopes that the impeachment will be dismissed. I sincerely hope that the national desire for the dismissal of the impeachment will become a widespread demand." However, he deleted the post almost immediately, apparently due to the controversy.

Lee Cheolwoo, governor of Gyeongbuk Province affiliated with the People Power Party, posted a ridiculous claim on social media on the 12th suggesting that President Yoon Seokyeol be addressed as "Gakha (閣下)." Apparently aware of the controversy, he deleted the post shortly afterward. Lee's claim implied that since the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial should be "dismissed (각하,却下)," President Yoon should be called "Gakha." Lee Cheolwoo Facebook

"Gakha" is a term that was used to refer to the president with honorifics during the authoritarian era. After democratization in 1987, the Roh Tae-woo administration discouraged its use, and during the Kim Youngsam administration, the term was officially banned. Although the term "Gakha" continued to be used in limited cases within the Blue House, "President-nim" eventually became the standard form of address. More recently, "Gaka" has even been used mockingly, such as when former President Park Geunhye or Kim Keonhee are referred to online as "Lady Gaka."

Governor Lee is known to be weighing a presidential run if the impeachment is upheld. On the 8th of last month, he attended an anti-impeachment rally held by the Protestant group Save Korea in Daegu, where he also sang the national anthem. Photo by Lee Cheolwoo Facebook

Governor Lee is reportedly considering a presidential run if the impeachment is upheld. On the 8th of last month, he attended an anti-impeachment rally held by the Protestant group Save Korea in Daegu, where he also sang the first verse of the national anthem. The rally, organized as a national emergency prayer meeting by Save Korea, drew an estimated 52,000 people according to police. Taking the stage, Lee said, "I would like to speak freely, but governors are not allowed to give speeches," and proceeded to sing the first verse of the anthem. The police are currently investigating whether Lee's speech and singing of the anthem at the rally constitute a violation of the Local Public Officials Act.

In addition to Governor Lee's actions, Park Sooyoung, another People Power Party lawmaker, posted about asking the artificial intelligence service ChatGPT for its prediction on the impeachment. Park wrote, "ChatGPT says dismissal," and added, "Since I also posted that dismissal is the most reasonable outcome, it seems ChatGPT and I are on the same level." He further commented, "I sincerely hope the Constitutional Court justices will be able to reason rationally."