'Informal Politics' Jang Dong-hyuk: 'Lee Jae-myung, Fight Me'
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party has been criticized for repeatedly addressing President Lee Jae-myung without using honorifics.
- Jang has used phrases like 'Lee Jae-myung, let's fight' and displayed signs with provocative messages, including one depicting the president as a devil.
- Critics argue that Jang's informal and disrespectful language undermines the dignity of the presidency and the nation's standing.
People Power Party lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk is facing criticism for his consistent use of informal language and lack of honorifics when referring to President Lee Jae-myung. This approach has been evident in his public appearances and statements, drawing ire from both political allies and opponents.
Lee Jae-myung, let's fight, not with high school students.
Most recently, Jang was seen holding a sign at a protest that read, "Lee Jae-myung, let's fight, not with high school students." This appears to reference a controversy involving a high school baseball team. Previously, at another protest, Jang held a sign depicting a red devil with horns holding a paper with "Lee Jae-myung" written on it, seemingly comparing the president to a devil.
Lee Jae-myung is a disaster for the Republic of Korea.
Jang has frequently omitted the presidential title when addressing Lee Jae-myung in official settings since taking office last August. He has made strong accusations, calling Lee "a disaster for the Republic of Korea" and equating him to criminals like Cho Ju-bin of the Nth Room digital sex offense case and drug kingpin Park Wang-yeol. He has also employed rhetoric such as "Supreme Dignity Lee Jae-myung" and invoked 'color theory' in his criticisms.
If Lee Jae-myung is a victim, then Nth Room's Cho Ju-bin and drug kingpin Park Wang-yeol are also victims.
This pattern of informal address has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Han Byung-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, urged Jang to "at least maintain basic dignity" as the leader of the main opposition party, noting that Jang's attitude "degrades himself." Rep. Sung Il-jong of the People Power Party also stated that referring to the president informally is "considerably wrong" and that "respect for the president should be maintained regardless of party affiliation, as it reflects the nation's dignity."
Supreme Dignity Lee Jae-myung.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.