"Highly Inappropriate Remark at Flood Recovery Site"... What Did Munsu Kim Say?

At Flood Recovery Volunteer Site in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province
"Inappropriate Remark" Draws Continued Criticism from Online Users

Munsu Kim, a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party leadership, faced criticism from some online users for making a comment deemed "inappropriate" while volunteering for flood recovery. On the 22nd, JTBC reported that Kim made remarks related to alcohol while volunteering for flood recovery in Sapgyo-eup, Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, which had suffered damage from heavy rainfall that day.

Munsu Kim, a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party leader, visited to volunteer for flood damage recovery. JTBC YouTube

Kim was seen carrying out homemade liquor from a house that had been devastated by the flood and said, "It would be nice to have a drink." A citizen, who appeared to be a flood victim, responded, "Excuse me?" Kim replied, "The liquor is fine, but they’re going to throw it away. This liquor looks drinkable." While Kim may have intended to carefully sort through the trash, some pointed out that such a remark was inappropriate in front of people whose homes had been destroyed by the flood. Kim was trying to pick out usable items from the pile of trash when he was told by a flood victim to "throw it away." Kim asked again, "Should I throw away these boots? They're good boots," and "Can’t these sacks be used? Would it be okay to use them?" but only received the repeated answer, "Throw it away."

Moonsoo Kim, a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party leadership, visited to volunteer for flood recovery efforts. JTBC YouTube

Viewers who watched the video responded that "one should know when and where certain comments are appropriate." Another user commented, "Did he go there as a moving company worker?" "Did he visit for a celebration, talking about drinks?" and "If the owner says to throw it away, how can you say it would be nice to have a drink? If you want it so much, take it with you." Some users also recalled the scene where former President Yoon Suk-yeol, during his visit to a restaurant in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, which was hit by Typhoon Hinnamnor in 2022, appeared more interested in the menu than in the disaster victims. Previously, Kim faced criticism for attending a drinking gathering during the national mourning period declared after the 10·29 Itaewon disaster in October 2022, when he was the chairperson of the Economic, Social and Labor Council under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.