Gwangyang rally sees candidates perform 'prone push-ups'; Democratic Party apologizes

An unusual incident occurred during a local election rally for the Democratic Party in Gwangyang, South Korea, where several candidates were instructed to perform a "prone push-up" exercise by a supporter.

The event took place on May 24th at the Okok-myeon 5-day market. A supporter, who reportedly holds a position within the election committee, took the microphone and directed the candidates, including Gwangyang mayoral candidate Jeong In-hwa, to perform military-style drills such as "attention," "at ease," "sit," and "stand." The situation escalated when the supporter shouted, "Look at your posture. Prone push-ups!" prompting many candidates to comply, while others hesitated.

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Yesterday (24th) at the Okok 5-day market intensive rally, a supporter who took the microphone made a sudden, unusual behavior, asking the candidates to do a military roll call. I deeply apologize to the candidates and supporters who were momentarily flustered and uncomfortable.

Party officials quickly moved to address the situation. Kwon Hyang-yeop, the Democratic Party's regional committee chair for Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye, posted an apology on Facebook, calling the supporter's actions "out of line" and "a sudden, unusual behavior." She stated that the party would file a disciplinary complaint against the supporter with the provincial party.

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A little while ago, the person leading the event went a bit overboard. They tried to make it fun, but it was a bit over the top. Sorry.

Min Hyung-bae, a candidate for the integrated mayor position of Jeonnam-Gwangju, who was waiting for party leader Jeong Dae-rae, also apologized immediately, describing the supporter's actions as "a bit over the top" in an attempt to create a fun atmosphere. The video of the incident, initially posted on the Democratic Party's YouTube channel "Deli Minju," has since been removed.

In contrast, the campaign office for independent candidate Park Seong-hyun criticized the event, stating that candidates lining up for "prone push-ups" in broad daylight demonstrated "blind obedience to nomination power and authoritarianism" embedded in their subconscious. The Democratic Party has acknowledged the embarrassment caused by the incident and offered its "deep apologies" to the candidates and supporters who felt awkward or uncomfortable.

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Candidates lining up for prone push-ups in broad daylight... This is not simply 'going overboard,' but a manifestation of blind obedience to nomination power and authoritarianism embedded in their subconscious.