Jang Dong-hyuk: 'Is This a Country Where the President Tells Us Not to Drink Starbucks?'

Jang Dong-hyuk, the interim election committee chairman for the ruling People Power Party, has sharply criticized the government's response to a marketing controversy involving Starbucks, questioning the president's call for a boycott. Speaking during campaign rallies for the upcoming local elections, Jang argued that such a directive infringes upon citizens' basic freedoms.

Jang drew a stark contrast between the government's actions and what he described as the opposition Democratic Party's alleged wrongdoings. He listed instances such as the Daedong project scandal, inter-Korean remittance issues, and the nomination of candidates with criminal records, suggesting these were met with insufficient accountability from the opposition. He argued that while Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin had apologized and taken personnel action regarding the Starbucks incident, the president and ministers were still urging citizens not to drink Starbucks coffee. "Is a country where the president and ministers tell people not to drink Starbucks coffee, even after the chairman apologized, acceptable?" Jang asked.

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Is a country where the president and ministers tell people not to drink Starbucks coffee, even after the chairman apologized, acceptable?

He framed the issue beyond a simple coffee choice, stating, "Coffee is not just coffee; it is our small daily life and our freedom." Jang urged voters to "punish this immoral regime that tries to take away even the freedom of citizens to have a cup of coffee" in the local elections. His remarks were made while campaigning for Go Jae-hyun, the People Power Party's candidate for mayor of Seongdong District in Seoul, and alongside incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

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Coffee is not just coffee; it is our small daily life and our freedom. We must punish this immoral regime that tries to take away even the freedom of citizens to have a cup of coffee in these local elections.

Jang also took aim at the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, suggesting that following Lee Jae-myung's lead would lead to the city's ruin. He implored voters to rally behind Oh Se-hoon to ensure the city's development is completed. Meanwhile, Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was not present at Jang's campaign events, commented on radio that Jang was acting out of impatience and had no reason to rush his campaign schedule in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The ruling party's strong rhetoric highlights the contentious political climate leading up to the local elections. By linking the Starbucks controversy to broader issues of freedom and contrasting it with perceived failures of the opposition, Jang aims to mobilize voters and solidify support for the People Power Party's candidates.

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The candidate for Seoul mayor, sent by Lee Jae-myung, will ruin Seoul if they follow Lee Jae-myung's path. Please give your support to candidate Oh Se-hoon so that the development of Seoul can be completed.