MBC referred to as ‘M-bing-shin’… Disability group protests Kim Young-hwan candidate's wife's expression

A coalition of disability rights groups in North Chungcheong Province is demanding a public apology from the wife of Kim Young-hwan, a candidate for governor from the People Power Party. The controversy stems from a Facebook post by Kim's wife, Jeon Eun-ju, in which she referred to MBC, the broadcaster that aired a recent opinion poll, as 'M-bing-shin.' This term is a variation of 'byeong-shin,' a derogatory word for people with disabilities, often translated as 'cripple.' The North Chungcheong Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (NCCEDPD) held a press conference outside Kim's campaign office, calling the remark "not a simple slip of the tongue" but an expression of contempt and exclusion towards people with disabilities. The group stated that Jeon's post, made after the poll results were released, revealed her dissatisfaction. While Jeon later amended the term 'M-bing-shin' to 'MBC' on her Facebook page on Thursday morning, the NCCEDPD argues that the initial remark caused significant pain to many individuals with disabilities. They are demanding not only an apology from Kim and Jeon but also a clear statement of their position on disability discrimination and measures to prevent recurrence. Kim's campaign responded by stating that Jeon had no intention of demeaning people with disabilities and expressed regret for the "expression that seems to demean the media." They acknowledged that the term has been corrected. This is not the first time Jeon has courted controversy with her online remarks. In March, she posted on her husband's Facebook page, referencing the movie 'Gladiator' and comparing political struggles to a "war," which drew criticism for its aggressive tone and potential allusions to past political conflicts involving Kim Young-hwan. Kim himself has frequently spoken of "political oppression and retaliation" since joining the People Power Party and winning the governorship in 2022.

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‘Bing-shin’ means ‘byeong-shin,’ which is a discriminatory expression that despises and excludes people with disabilities. It is not a simple slip of the tongue.