Kwon Youngguk: "Show a Red Card to Lee Junseok for Hate and Lies"

Yesterday an Apology, Today Brazen Defiance
A Different Standard from When Criticizing Jeon Jang Yeon

Kwon Youngguk, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, commented on May 29 regarding Lee Junseok, the candidate of the Reform New Party, quoting explicit and violent expressions related to women's bodies during the presidential TV debate. Kwon stated, "Now, let us expel hate along with rebellion," and urged, "Show a red card to Lee Junseok."

Kwon Youngguk, the Democratic Labor Party candidate, finished voting at the early voting station set up at Juam Village Hall in Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do, on the 29th and is making a statement. Photo by Yonhap News

At a press conference held that day at the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangju, Kwon said, "The right to know does not mean the right to expose everything?this is a standard our society has built up," and added, "I do not want to see a country where violence and abusive language are put on display in the name of verification."

Kwon further emphasized, "Let us choose politics that fights hate, instead of politics that fights the vulnerable. Shouldn't politics that overturns inequality, rather than politics that turns our stomachs, be the one to win?" He continued, "Please bring an end to Lee Junseok's politics, which has survived solely by relying on hate, and replace it with the victory of Kwon Youngguk, who stands against discrimination and hate."

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is giving a back briefing after casting his vote at the polling station set up at Dongtan 9-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

Chief spokesperson Moon Jungeun criticized, "Yesterday, Lee apologized, but today he is being brazen. He scolded reporters and flushed with anger, asking where the hate was in his words, and his behavior is incomprehensible."

Moon added, "Every day there is an emergency. Instead of putting out the fire in the hearts of the people, he is only pouring oil on it. Everyone is criticizing him for forgetting his qualifications as a public figure, but he does not listen. We have seen this kind of uncommunicative leadership before?do the people have to witness yet another unpredictable and irredeemable politician?"

Deputy spokesperson Shin Mingi pointed out, "Hasn't Lee Junseok always expressed extreme contempt for politics that ends with an apology? Activists from Jeon Jang Yeon also had to apologize every time they took the subway for causing inconvenience. Yet Lee Junseok introduced the so-called Jeon Jang Yeon Prevention Act, aiming for aggravated punishment, saying, 'Why should citizens become the target of protest?' and 'If the method is wrong, the cause collapses.'"

Shin further stated, "By that standard, why should citizens become the target of Lee Junseok's appalling verbal sexual violence? There is freedom to verify policies, but there is no right to hold hostage the ears and minds of hundreds of thousands. When social minorities cause inconvenience, it becomes a subject for aggravated punishment, but when he causes nationwide violence, he tries to excuse it as a citation or verification?this is the so-called Lee standard."