Politicians' 'Human Stand' Controversy Erupts Amidst Drought Visit

A visit by People Power Party politicians to a reservoir in Miryang, South Korea, amidst a severe drought, has ignited controversy. The politicians, including party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, were at the site on a day when temperatures soared to 34.7 degrees Celsius (94.5 Fahrenheit).

During a briefing by the head of the Miryang branch of the Korea Rural Community Corporation about water shortages, a photograph captured two male employees crouching behind a display board, holding it up. Their legs were visible through the gaps in the board, leading to the incident being dubbed the 'human stand' controversy.

Jang Dong-hyuk stated he was unaware of the employees behind the board and apologized. However, the proximity of the board to the politicians and the presence of other party officials raised doubts about the claim of ignorance. The Korea Rural Community Corporation explained that the employees were holding the board to prevent it from blowing away in the wind, as there were no suitable places to secure it.

The article draws parallels to past incidents where politicians have engaged in perceived excessive or inappropriate 'VIP treatment' during disaster site visits. It cites an example from the Jecheon sauna fire and another involving a former Vice Minister of Justice using a subordinate as a human umbrella. The piece questions the persistence of such undignified practices, suggesting they should have been abandoned long ago, and reflects on the feelings of the employees' families witnessing such treatment.