DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Lawmaker Kim Min-jeon draws fire for 'handsome guys' remark to girls, echoing past criticism

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Kim Min-jeon, a People Power Party lawmaker, made a controversial remark to young girls during a campaign rally, calling the male candidates "handsome guys."
  • This statement drew criticism as Kim had previously condemned similar remarks made by Democratic Party politicians.
  • The incident occurred during a campaign event for Park Min-sik, a People Power Party candidate for a by-election in Busan's Buk-gu district.

Kim Min-jeon, a lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party, has come under fire for remarks made to a group of young girls during a campaign event in Busan. While campaigning alongside Park Min-sik, the party's candidate for a by-election in the Buk-gu district, Kim addressed a group of girls, estimated to be around pre-teen age, saying, "There are many handsome guys here."

There are many handsome guys here.

· Kim Min-jeonKim Min-jeon's remark to a group of young girls during a campaign event.

The incident is particularly noteworthy because Kim Min-jeon had been a vocal critic of similar comments made by Democratic Party politicians just weeks earlier. During a controversy involving remarks by Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil and candidate Ha Jeong-woo, who referred to a young girl as "Oppa" (older brother), Kim had strongly condemned their behavior as inappropriate for politicians. At the time, she criticized Song, stating, "Is this the kind of thing a politician who is supposed to be looking into people's livelihoods should say?" She also questioned Ha, asking, "Ha, who told a primary school girl to call you Oppa! Haven't you gone home yet?"

During the campaign event on May 21st, Kim and Park were seen interacting with citizens on the street. When the group of girls passed by, Park made a "V" sign, and Kim followed with her comment about the "handsome guys." The girls appeared hesitant to pass and quickly moved on, some covering their faces with their phones as if conscious of the cameras.

Is this the kind of thing a politician who is supposed to be looking into people's livelihoods should say?

· Kim Min-jeonKim Min-jeon's earlier criticism of Democratic Party politicians' remarks.

Park Min-sik, the candidate Kim was supporting, is 61 years old. The Democratic Party had previously apologized for the "Oppa" remarks, with Song Young-gil expressing regret for causing distress to the child and her parents, and Ha Jeong-woo also issuing an apology. The People Power Party, however, had maintained its criticism of the Democratic Party's actions. Kim's recent comment has led to accusations of hypocrisy, given her strong stance against similar remarks made by the opposition.

Ha, who told a primary school girl to call you Oppa! Haven't you gone home yet?

· Kim Min-jeonKim Min-jeon's earlier criticism directed at Democratic Party candidate Ha Jeong-woo.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog