District Council Member Apologizes After "Why Didn't You Grow Up Eating With Others?" Remark Broadcast to 800 Employees Sparks Controversy

Apology Posted on Union Bulletin Board Amid Controversy
"Clearly a Mistake to Mention Physical Characteristics"
"Deeply Reflecting on My Lack of Prudence"

A district council member in Busan bowed his head in apology after making remarks about a district office executive's physical characteristics during an administrative audit.

According to the Geumjeong District Branch of the Busan Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union on December 2, Jo Junyoung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea at the Geumjeong District Council, posted an apology on the union's message board on November 29.

Jo Junyoung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea at Geumjeong District Council in Busan. Jo Junyoung District Council Member Facebook.

Assemblyman Jo stated, "I sincerely apologize for the deep hurt I caused to Mr. A and his family with my remarks during the recent administrative audit," adding, "It was clearly a mistake to comment on an individual's physical characteristics in a public work setting, during an official meeting attended by many people."

Jo Junyoung was criticized for making inappropriate remarks during last month's administrative audit. He said to a district office executive, "Director A, I can't see you well. Please turn your seat so we can at least make eye contact," to which Director A replied, "Yes, I have turned my seat a bit." Assemblyman Jo then made a comment about height, saying, "Director, why didn't you eat with others and grow taller when you had the chance?"

At the time, there were five district council members, more than 20 civil servants present, and the meeting was being broadcast to all departments where about 800 people work.

Assemblyman Jo's remarks sparked controversy over abusive language on the civil servants' union message board. A post titled "Controversy over demeaning remarks about an executive's physical characteristics during the district council's administrative audit" appeared, attracting dozens of critical comments.

Apology posted on the Civil Servants' Union website. Civil Servants' Union website.

Comments included, "Administrative audits are meant to oversee policies, not to provide a stage for demeaning, mocking, or yelling at civil servants," "The era when civil servants had to endure such things is over," "Remarks about height are unacceptable," and "How can someone talk about physical traits like that?"

In his apology, Assemblyman Jo stated, "I deeply reflect on my failure to maintain the dignity and prudence required of a public official," and added, "I will take time to look back on myself and engage in self-reflection as a public servant."