People Power Party media spokesperson, YouTuber referred to prosecutors for disability hate speech

A spokesperson and a YouTuber associated with South Korea's People Power Party have been sent to prosecutors over alleged discriminatory and hateful remarks targeting Kim Ye-ji, a visually impaired lawmaker from the same party. The Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station announced on July 1 that Park Min-young, the party's media spokesperson, and YouTuber Gam Dong-ran (real name Kim So-eun) were transferred to the prosecution without detention on June 29. They face charges including defamation, insult, and violation of the Act on Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities and Remedies.

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There are too many disability quotas, and she is part of the vested interests, except for her inconvenient eyes.

The controversy erupted last November when Park appeared on Gam's YouTube channel and made remarks suggesting Kim's nomination was unfair due to a "too many disability quotas" and that she was "part of the vested interests, except for her inconvenient eyes." Park also commented on a revised bill proposed by Kim regarding organ donation, stating it implied organs could be harvested without family consent after psychiatric hospitalization. Gam reportedly added to the hostility with insults and derogatory comments about Kim being a disabled woman, questioning her claims of facing discrimination based on gender.

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Kim Ye-ji should consider herself lucky for being disabled. Why does she always claim to be a victim because she is a woman?

Following the broadcast, Kim Ye-ji filed a complaint against Park Min-young for defamation, spreading false information, and insult. She criticized the incident on Facebook, calling it an "issue where discriminatory and hateful language, which should never be tolerated in public spaces in our society, was publicly consumed." Several civic groups also filed complaints with the police against Park and Gam for violating disability discrimination laws and for insult.

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The recent incident is more than just a personal attack; it is an issue where discriminatory and hateful language, which should never be tolerated in public spaces in our society, was publicly consumed.

Amidst growing criticism within and outside the party, Park Min-young issued an apology on Facebook for expressions that "may have sounded harsh," promising to prevent recurrence but not retracting the substance of her remarks. The People Power Party leadership issued only a "stern warning" to Park. Notably, Gam Dong-ran joined the People Power Party in December.

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I apologize for some expressions that may have sounded harsh. I will be careful to prevent the same situation from recurring.