Statement Condemning "Don't Fires Break Out in Honam?" Remarks
Deep Scars Left Not Only on Honam Residents but on the Korean Community
On October 2, members of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council from the Democratic Party of Korea, the Progressive Party, and the Justice Party (hereinafter referred to as "the council members") issued a statement condemning the remarks made by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jungjae, who said, "Don't fires break out in Honam?" The council members also called for Assemblywoman Kim's immediate resignation.
The council members stated, "This remark, made during the critical review of a bill concerning the lives and safety of the people, is not only a regional slur but also an inhumane statement that exploits the pain of a national disaster for political strife. The 1.8 million residents of Jeollanam-do cannot contain their grief and anger."
They strongly criticized, "The attitude that one could only support the bill if a fire breaks out in a specific region seriously undermines the responsibility of the National Assembly to represent the people. It has left deep scars not only on disaster victims and Honam residents but on the entire Korean community."
Regarding Assemblywoman Kim's explanation that her remarks were misunderstood due to her Gyeongsang Province dialect, the council members reiterated the seriousness of the issue, stating, "The essence of her statement is the incitement of regional animosity and an insult to victims and the public, which cannot be denied."
The council members added, "We will continue to monitor and correct any recurrence of discrimination, exclusion, or regionalism in politics, whether in the National Assembly or in society as a whole."
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