Opposition: "Jeong Cheong-rae and Ha Jung-woo's 'Oppa Controversy' Violates Children's Rights"... Jeong Apologizes

People Power Party Condemns 'Violation of Children's Rights'
Democratic Party Issues Public Apology

The People Power Party continued its criticism, calling it a "clear violation of children's rights," in response to the controversy surrounding Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae and Busan Buk-gu-gap by-election candidate Ha Jung-woo, who allegedly asked an elementary school student to address them as "oppa" (older brother) during a campaign event.

On May 4, Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "Forcing a child to call someone 'oppa' is an obvious infringement on children's rights," and added, "As we celebrate Children's Day, I hope we take the opportunity to reflect on our awareness of children's rights."

Park Sung-hoon, the party's chief spokesperson, also criticized, "There was an inappropriate scene during the campaign, when an elementary school student was asked to call someone 'oppa' and there was a back-and-forth exchange," adding, "The discomfort caused by that scene now rests squarely with the public." He further pointed out, "It was only after widespread public criticism that candidate Ha belatedly issued an apology," and added, "He failed to demonstrate a basic sense of responsibility."

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Ha Jung-woo, the candidate running for the Busan Bukgap by-election, were seen walking under umbrellas at Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Chu Kyung-ho, the Daegu mayoral candidate, also joined the criticism via Facebook. He said, "The behavior of Democratic Party figures has crossed the line," and added, "It was inappropriate to repeatedly ask an elementary school student to call an unfamiliar adult 'oppa'." He emphasized, "Politics is proven by attitude, not words," and continued, "Politics that treats the people as mere props or objects of staging must be judged in this election."

The central women's committee of the People Power Party and members of the National Assembly's Education Committee also issued a joint statement, saying, "It appears that the campaigners prioritized electioneering over the rights and safety of children," and urged, "We call on Representative Jeong and candidate Ha to make a sincere apology and take responsible action."

As the controversy spread, Representative Jeong and candidate Ha issued public apologies. At the Supreme Council meeting held that morning at the Busan International Exhibition and Convention Center, Jeong said, "A child became the center of controversy," and expressed, "I am deeply sorry to the child and parents who may have been hurt."

Candidate Ha also said through his election camp the previous day, "A child became the center of controversy during the process of meeting local residents," and stated, "I apologize to the child and parents who may have been hurt as a result."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.