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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Democratic Party on Alert Amid Candidate Controversies

From Hankyoreh · (4m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Democratic Party has issued a warning to candidates amidst recent controversies during election campaigning.
  • Party leader Song Young-gil apologized for remarks made by a candidate to a child, which led to a complaint of emotional abuse.
  • Another candidate faced criticism for appearing to wipe his hands after shaking a merchant's hand and for advising a struggling merchant to seek consulting.

The Hankyoreh reports on the Democratic Party's internal 'warning alert' as election campaigns for by-elections and local elections intensify. The party is grappling with several candidates embroiled in public controversies, raising concerns about potential damage to their electoral prospects.

I am deeply sorry for the child who was hurt and their parents due to the situation during the visit to Gupo Market.

— Song Young-gilApologizing for the controversy involving candidate Ha Jeong-woo's remarks to a child.

One significant incident involved Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil apologizing for remarks made by Busan by-election candidate Ha Jeong-woo to a child during a campaign event. Ha's comment, "Say 'Oppa' (older brother)," and his subsequent reaction to the child's response, drew a formal complaint alleging emotional abuse under the Child Welfare Act. This gaffe highlights the delicate nature of campaigning, especially when interacting with vulnerable individuals, and the potential for missteps to be amplified.

We need to be careful with our words.

— Han Byung-doStressing the need for prudence in candidate statements.

Adding to the party's woes, Busan candidate Ha Jeong-woo also faced backlash for appearing to wipe his hands after shaking a merchant's hand, an act perceived as disrespectful. Meanwhile, Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Bong-oh drew criticism for advising a struggling market vendor to seek consulting services, which was framed by opponents as condescending. These incidents underscore a broader concern within the party about candidates' communication styles and their ability to connect with ordinary citizens.

If we make a mistake, the conservative forces can unite.

— Song Young-gilWarning about the potential consequences of candidate errors.

Party leadership, including floor leader Han Byung-do and Seoul mayoral candidate Song Young-gil, have acknowledged the need for greater caution in public statements. The Hankyoreh notes that these missteps could potentially galvanize opposition forces. The party's Secretary-General, Cho Seung-rae, emphasized the need to remain vigilant, signaling a concerted effort to rein in potentially damaging behavior as the elections draw nearer. From a South Korean perspective, these gaffes are not just minor slip-ups but can significantly impact public perception and electoral outcomes, reflecting a deep-seated sensitivity to candidates' perceived sincerity and respect for the public.

We cannot afford to let our guard down for even a moment.

— Cho Seung-raeEmphasizing the need for continued vigilance during the campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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