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'Hand-Wiping' Controversy Engulfs Ha Jeong-woo, Sparking Fierce Attacks from People Power Party

From Hankyoreh · (5m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Ha Jeong-woo, a former AI policy aide, is facing strong criticism from the conservative People Power Party (PPP) after being nominated as a candidate for a by-election in Busan.
  • Critics, including PPP members, have accused Ha of treating voters disrespectfully, citing a gesture where he appeared to wipe his hands after shaking hands with constituents.
  • The controversy raises questions about Ha's campaign strategy and the potential impact on the upcoming by-elections, including those in Pyeongtaek and the internal dynamics within the PPP.

The nomination of Ha Jeong-woo, former senior presidential secretary for AI Future Planning, as the candidate for the Busan Buk-gap constituency has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the conservative People Power Party (PPP). The controversy centers on a gesture Ha made after shaking hands with merchants in Gupo Market, Busan, where he appeared to wipe his hands, a move interpreted by his opponents as deeply disrespectful to the voters.

Mr. Ha treats voters like insects.

— Kim Jae-wonA senior official from the People Power Party criticizing Ha Jeong-woo's gesture.

Kim Jae-won, a senior PPP official, was quick to condemn Ha's actions, stating, "Mr. Ha treats voters like insects." This sentiment was echoed by other PPP contenders for the Busan Buk-gap seat, including Park Min-sik, former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, who described the gesture as an unconscious display of "deep-rooted elitism and arrogance" that views local residents as "a different class."

Even Han Dong-hoon, a prominent PPP figure, weighed in on social media, questioning whether the Democratic Party, to which Ha is affiliated, believes that "disregarding the citizens of Buk-gu will not affect the overall trend." This widespread condemnation from the PPP suggests a concerted effort to capitalize on the controversy and undermine Ha's candidacy, potentially challenging the perceived 'inevitable victory' narrative surrounding him.

Is this the Democratic Party's thinking, that disregarding the citizens of Buk-gu will not affect the overall trend?

— Han Dong-hoonA prominent figure from the People Power Party commenting on the controversy.

The 'hand-wiping' incident has cast a shadow over Ha's political debut, raising questions about his campaign's ability to navigate this early crisis. The article also touches upon other political dynamics, including the possibility of candidate consolidation in the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election and alleged discord between top PPP officials Jang Dong-hyuk and Song Eon-seok. As Ha faces his first major political hurdle, the focus remains on how he will overcome this challenge and whether the controversy will significantly impact the upcoming by-elections.

The deep-rooted elitism and arrogance that treats the residents who have lived in the region their whole lives as 'a different class' has unconsciously surfaced.

— Park Min-sikA rival candidate from the People Power Party criticizing Ha Jeong-woo's behavior.
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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