At Jung Won-oh's Campaign, Democratic Yangcheon-gu Mayoral Candidate Apologizes for "Forcing a Child to Kiss"

Woo Hyungchan, the Yangcheon-gu district mayor candidate who campaigned alongside Jung Wono, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, issued an apology on the 31st regarding the controversy over "forcing a child to give a kiss," stating, "I sincerely apologize to all parents raising children."

On the 31st, Jung Wono, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, was holding a campaign event in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. As he picked up a child, Woo Hyungchan, candidate for Yangcheon-gu district mayor, said, "Give a kiss." Photo captured from the Facebook page of Joo Jinwoo, a member of the People Power Party.

On his blog that day, Woo said, "There is no excuse for my careless and thoughtless words and actions during the campaign event at Paris Park in Yangcheon-gu today with mayoral candidate Jung," and issued this apology.

Woo explained, "I said to the baby I met at the scene, 'Kiss. Give a kiss,'" and admitted, "While I claimed to see things from a child's perspective, in reality, I was acting from an adult's unilateral point of view. That was my mistake." He continued, "I apologize to the child and parents who may have felt emotional distress or discomfort, and I deeply apologize to the residents of Yangcheon-gu who were likely disappointed." He added, "I will make children's safety and rights the top priority in all situations and act accordingly."

Earlier that day, during a campaign event in Yangcheon-gu, Woo commented, "Just one kiss, give a kiss," as Jung picked up a child. Im Seeun, spokesperson for Jung's campaign, intervened at the scene.

The People Power Party strongly criticized Woo's actions through a spokesperson's commentary at the Central Election Campaign Committee, arguing that his behavior constituted undue pressure on a child.

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