"No One Should Be Branded for Not Attending University"
"Should I Replace My Wife Just Because She Only Graduated from High School?"
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, said on the 1st, "I am running for president to ensure that there is no discrimination based on educational background in South Korea, and to prevent anyone from being branded for not having attended university."
This remark is interpreted as a response to writer Yoo Simin's recent comment directed at Kim's spouse, Seol Nanyeong, stating, "The position of a presidential candidate's spouse is not a place you can go."
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo appeals for support at a campaign rally held in front of the East Gate of COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News
At a campaign rally held that afternoon at Guri Station Square in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, Kim emphasized, "We must fix a South Korea where people are discriminated against based on their educational background, where only those who have graduated from university can become First Lady or President, and where those who have not are forced to stay silent and remain beneath others."
He continued, "When I was wanted during the 5·18 Democratization Movement and became a target for the Samcheong Re-education Camp, my wife hid me in her rented room. Because we had no money, my wife couldn't even wear a wedding dress when we got married. Is it my wife's fault that she married a man who only had 100,000 won?"
Kim also stressed, "After we got married and had a child, I spent two years and six months in prison. My wife never gave up on me, never turned her back, and raised our child while I was away. Is it her fault that, because of my incompetence, she had to become the head of the household and support our family?"
In particular, Kim became emotional and said, "Should I replace my wife just because she only graduated from high school?"
Targeting Yoo Simin, Kim said, "He once ran against me in the Gyeonggi Province governor election. I won that election thanks to your support."
Previously, Yoo appeared on a YouTube program hosted by Kim Eojun and said, "It is a marriage between a university graduate worker (referring to Kim) and a 'real worker' (referring to Seol). Right now, their feet are off the ground. They are not in their right mind." This comment drew criticism from the political community, who accused Yoo of showing contempt for workers and women.
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