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Ruling Party Lawmaker Slams President Lee for 'Demonizing' Teachers Over Field Trips
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Ruling Party Lawmaker Slams President Lee for 'Demonizing' Teachers Over Field Trips

From Dong-A Ilbo · (15m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A member of the ruling People Power Party, Kim Yong-tae, criticized President Lee Jae-myung for his remarks on school field trips.
  • Kim accused the president of demonizing subjects to garner public attention and questioned if this was a habit or a deliberate strategy.
  • The criticism comes after President Lee suggested that teachers were avoiding organizing field trips due to fear of responsibility, comparing it to "throwing away a good opportunity because you fear the maggots."

The political arena in South Korea is abuzz with sharp criticism directed at President Lee Jae-myung, spearheaded by Kim Yong-tae, a prominent member of the ruling People Power Party. Kim has vehemently denounced the President's recent statements concerning the decline in school field trips, accusing him of employing a divisive tactic to consolidate public support.

Is it a strategy to attract public attention by demonizing the subject, or is it the President's own habit?

— Kim Yong-taeCriticizing President Lee Jae-myung's remarks on school field trips.

Kim Yong-tae's critique centers on President Lee's assertion that teachers are increasingly hesitant to organize educational excursions due to an overwhelming fear of liability. The President likened this reluctance to "throwing away a good opportunity because you fear the maggots," a metaphor that has drawn considerable ire from educators and their representatives.

Shouldn't we also consider the public's criticism and condemnation if the president fears his own trial and shakes the nation's judicial system?

— Kim Yong-taeDrawing a parallel between the president's fear of his trial and his criticism of teachers.

In a pointed Facebook post, Kim Yong-tae questioned the President's approach, asking whether his strategy of "demonizing the subject" to ignite public debate was a personal habit or a calculated political maneuver. He drew a parallel to the President's own legal challenges, suggesting that if the President fears his trial, he should not attempt to undermine the nation's judicial system. Kim urged the President to abandon divisive rhetoric and focus on addressing the core issues plaguing society, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and constructive approach to governance.

You shouldn't throw away the pot because you fear the maggots.

— President Lee Jae-myungHis original statement regarding teachers' reluctance to organize field trips.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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