Lee Junseok Questions Lack of Response to His Actual Remarks Amid 'Misogyny' Criticism

"Standards for Debate Remarks Were Set in 2017"

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, responded to criticism over his blunt remarks about women's bodies during the third TV debate of the 6·3 presidential election, calling it "nonsense." He said, "I was asked whether my remarks amounted to misogyny, but didn't I refuse to answer because I am not misogynistic?"

On May 28, during an appearance on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show," Lee said, "I actually asked the question in a much milder way than the original remark, so I am curious why there was no clear answer." He continued, "The Democratic Party and the Democratic Labor Party have always claimed to be deeply interested in women's rights, but when a specific case was brought up, they avoided giving a direct answer. I hope they will make a judgment on this issue, even now."

The previous day, during the TV debate, Lee referenced a controversial expression allegedly posted by the son of candidate Lee Jaemyung, and asked Kwon Youngguk, the Democratic Labor Party's presidential candidate, "According to the Democratic Labor Party's standards, does this constitute misogyny?" Immediately after the debate, Kwon issued a statement saying, "I never expected to hear such a shocking remark in this setting. By quoting a misogynistic expression on live TV without any filter, with the intention of slandering his opponent, candidate Lee is no different from someone who actually makes misogynistic remarks," strongly criticizing Lee.

The Democratic Party also issued a written briefing, stressing, "By using violent language that should never be uttered on television, the candidate has shocked the public who were looking forward to the debate. He must be held accountable for this horrific verbal violence disguised as a debate."

Reform New Party candidate Lee Junseok is preparing for a political TV debate held on the 27th at the MBC studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

When asked why he sought Kwon's opinion on the remark, Lee replied, "During the previous debate, Kwon was the one who most actively questioned me about misogyny, divisiveness, and issues related to people with disabilities. He seemed to have clear standards on these issues." Lee added, "I simply introduced a comment commonly found on the internet and asked for the Democratic Labor Party's standards. As a third party that has always spoken out strongly on these matters, I thought the Democratic Labor Party could make an objective judgment."

When asked if the question was aimed at him, Lee said, "I believe Kwon also refused to state his position. I don't really know why."

He then recalled the 2017 presidential TV debate, when Sim Sangjung, the Justice Party's presidential candidate, strongly demanded the resignation of Hong Joonpyo, the Liberty Korea Party's candidate, over the so-called 'pig aphrodisiac' controversy. During that debate, Sim said, "This presidential election is about opening a new era for Korea. I cannot recognize a candidate who conspired in a sexual violence crime as a legitimate opponent," and refused to debate with Hong.

Regarding this, Lee said, "When Sim raised the pig aphrodisiac issue very strongly, Hong simply said, 'I tried to write it in my autobiography as an amusing story, and that's why it happened. I'm sorry,' and that was the end of it. I believe the standards for what kinds of questions are possible and which are not in televised debates were set at that time."