Na Kyung-won criticizes Cho Kuk: 'Becoming South Korea, scary'

Na Kyung-won, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, has strongly criticized Cho Kuk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, accusing him of fostering a "totalitarian surveillance society." The sharp rebuke came after Cho commented on a controversy surrounding the use of a dialect by a K-pop idol.

Na took to social media to express her dismay, stating, "I feel like I'm seeing totalitarian Red Guards. A surveillance society where you can't even use your dialect freely, where even thoughts and dialects are dictated. Is this becoming South Korea? It's scary." She attached a screenshot of a news report detailing Cho Kuk's stance on the 'museopno' controversy involving the idol Wonhee.

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I feel like I'm seeing totalitarian Red Guards. A surveillance society where you can't even use your dialect freely, where even thoughts and dialects are dictated. Is this becoming South Korea? It's scary.

The dispute originated when Wonhee used the expression 'museopno' during a broadcast. Critics pointed out that the phrase's tone was similar to derogatory language used by the far-right online community Ilbe, sparking a heated online debate. Cho Kuk had previously stated that there are criteria to distinguish between dialect and such offensive language.

Na Kyung-won interpreted Cho Kuk's remarks as a sign of a society increasingly focused on censorship, where even regional dialects are subject to scrutiny. Her strong reaction highlights the ongoing political tensions and differing interpretations of language use and online discourse in South Korea.

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There are criteria to distinguish between dialect and Ilbe language.