Democratic Party Urges Kim Jungjae to Resign and Be Expelled Over "Honam Remark"

Democratic Party Lawmakers on Land Committee: "The Worst Remark Undermining National Unity"
Supreme Council Member Jeon Hyunhee: "Petty Excuse Blaming Dialect... Immediate Expulsion Sought"
Calls Grow Within People Power Party for Explanation and Action

The Democratic Party of Korea has strongly urged the resignation and expulsion of Kim Jungjae, a member of the People Power Party, following his controversial remarks, "Doesn't fire break out in Honam?"

Kim Jungjae, member of the People Power Party. Yonhap News Agency.

On September 28, Democratic Party lawmakers from the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "No matter how one tries to justify such offensive remarks, Assemblywoman Kim should apologize to the public and step down from her position as a lawmaker."

They strongly criticized Kim's comments, describing them as "not merely regional disparagement, but an inhumane act that seeks to use a national disaster and suffering as a tool for political strife, and the worst possible remark that undermines national unity." The lawmakers demanded an immediate apology and voluntary resignation, declaring, "Kim no longer deserves to remain as a lawmaker representing the people."

The party leadership also issued strong statements. Jeon Hyunhee, Supreme Council member, described the controversy as "an unprecedentedly outrageous remark" during a press briefing at the National Assembly, and pointed out that Kim had made a "petty excuse, blaming it on dialect."

Jeon further criticized, "After the previous outrageous remark by former floor leader Song Eonseok, the People Power Party offered neither explanation nor reflection, and now another unprecedentedly outrageous remark has erupted." She added, "We will immediately push for Kim's expulsion."