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Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is facing growing controversy over the appropriateness of his remarks after referencing a specific part of the female body during the third televised debate on political issues for the 21st presidential election, held on May 27. Although Lee has expressed his intention to apologize, there are ongoing calls within and outside the political sphere for him to be held politically accountable.

Yonhap News

During the TV debate, Lee Junseok quoted explicit content related to a specific part of the female body and asked Kwon Youngguk, the Democratic Labor Party’s presidential candidate, whether it constituted misogyny. In effect, he used the controversy over comments allegedly made by the family of Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, which had attracted attention in some online spaces, as material for the presidential debate. Kwon responded, “I will not answer,” while Lee Jaemyung countered, “I ask that candidate Lee Junseok also reflect on his own personal matters.”

As the controversy intensified, Lee Junseok held a press conference at the National Assembly on the morning of May 29, stating, “The expression in question was not created by me.” He then mentioned the real name of Lee Jaemyung’s son and noted that he had been fined 5 million won by the court. Lee Junseok added, “The expressions were so extremely vulgar that even after refining and moderating them, there were limits,” and said, “I sincerely apologize to those who still felt uncomfortable.”

Despite Lee Junseok’s explanation, it appears difficult for him to avoid criticism for lacking gender sensitivity. On May 28, the Democratic Party filed a police complaint against Lee Junseok, accusing him of violating the Public Official Election Act. Cho Seungrae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party’s election committee, asserted during a briefing on the morning of May 29, “The remarks made on the broadcast were Lee Junseok’s own creation.” Kwon Youngguk immediately called for Lee Junseok’s resignation after the debate.

Women’s organizations and civic groups are also holding Lee Junseok accountable for this incident. Korea Women’s Hotline issued a statement demanding Lee Junseok’s resignation, and the Citizens’ Action for Judicial Justice also filed a complaint against Lee Junseok for slander and spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act.