Choi Wook Apologizes for 'Tank' Remark: "Not an Apology to the Far-Right"—Lee Junseok Responds, "He Still Doesn't Get It"

Choi Wook Apologizes for Saying "Ilbe Should Be Run Over by a Tank"

Joonseok Lee: "Those Who Say 'Wipe Them Out' Are the Far-Right"

Choi Wook, a broadcaster who sparked controversy by stating that the far-right online community 'Ilbe' (Ilgan Best Storage) "should be crushed with a tank," has issued an apology. However, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, continued his criticism, stating, "He still hasn't realized his mistake."

Choi Wook, host of 'Maebulshow'. Screenshot from YouTube channel 'Maebulshow'

On June 8, during a live broadcast of his YouTube channel 'Maebulshow,' Choi said, "There were a great many people who felt uncomfortable with my comments," and added, "I sincerely apologize." However, he also emphasized, "This is by no means an apology to the far-right who praise the Chun Doo-hwan approach," and stated, "I will be more careful with my broadcasting in the future."

In response, Lee posted on Facebook the same day, saying, "The point that Choi Wook misunderstands is clear. The essence of the problem is not whether 'crushing the far-right with a tank is justified.'"

He explained, "It is about singling out a specific group and proposing physical elimination instead of debate. That is the definition of the far-right." He cited examples such as, "Saying Koreans poisoned the wells so they must be killed," and "There must be a final solution for Jews."

He continued, "Choi has adopted exactly that way of thinking," and pointed out, "It doesn't matter who the target is. The person who says, 'I will wipe them out because I don't like them,' is the very definition of the far-right."

He further criticized, "Even while apologizing, Choi said, 'This is not an apology to the far-right.' This shows he still hasn't realized his mistake."

Reform Party Leader Joon-Seok Lee. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, on June 5, Choi, during a live broadcast on his own YouTube channel, targeted Ilbe members and other far-right users, saying, "What they admire is Chun Doo-hwan. At least for their online crimes, they should be crushed with a tank in their own way." Regarding their hate speech, Choi argued, "It should be clearly criminalized," and added, "Leaving it unchecked allows Ilbe to become entertainment, to become a culture, and to move into the mainstream."

His comments were deemed inappropriate, especially when considered alongside his previous criticism of Starbucks' so-called 'Tank Day' marketing campaign.

On June 6, Lee also uploaded a related video to Facebook, stating, "Different people may have different sensitivities to the word 'tank.' However, there must be consistency," and criticized, "Choi's remarks are an issue that should prompt the President and ruling party politicians to call for boycotts and expulsion."

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