South Korean lawmaker Kim Min-jeon faces backlash for 'handsome older brothers' remark

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Min-jeon has drawn criticism for remarks made during a campaign rally in Busan, where she told a group of young female students, "There are many handsome older brothers here." The incident occurred while the students were passing by a street campaign event for People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik.

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Hello. There are many handsome older brothers here.

The Justice Party swiftly condemned Kim's statement, labeling it as "hypocritical politics" and highlighting the conservative party's previous strong criticism of similar remarks made by male politicians. The Justice Party argued that Kim's attempt to frame her comment as a gesture of consideration was disingenuous, especially given the People Power Party's stance on gender sensitivity.

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The act of forcing an adult male's title of 'oppa' on young students itself is an act of outdated gender stereotypes.

Kim Min-jeon defended her comment on Facebook, stating that she intended to reassure the students who appeared hesitant to pass through the crowded street. She clarified that she did not compel the students to call anyone "oppa" (older brother), referencing a recent controversy involving a Democratic Party candidate. "I did not force anyone to call [Park Min-sik] 'oppa' like someone else did," Kim wrote, implying a double standard in the criticism she received.

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We can no longer tolerate the 'what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander' politics. We urge you to apply the same standards to yourselves and apologize.

However, the Justice Party dismissed Kim's explanation, asserting that the remark was inappropriate regardless of whether she was referring to the candidate or the general presence of men at the event. The party accused the People Power Party of exhibiting a "double standard," applying different criteria to their own members compared to opposition figures. "We can no longer tolerate the 'what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander' politics," the Justice Party stated, urging Kim and her party to apply the same critical standards to themselves and apologize for the remarks.

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I did not force anyone to call [Park Min-sik] 'oppa' like someone else did.