'Oppa' Controversy: Chung Jungrae and Ha Jungwoo Cleared of Child Abuse Charges

"Difficult to Consider the Act as Abuse"

Assemblyman Chung Jung-rae and Ha Jung-woo, the regional chairman for Busan Buk-gap, who were accused of violating the Child Welfare Act after Chung allegedly told a child to call Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo “oppa” (a term used by younger girls to refer to an older male) during campaigning for the June 3 parliamentary by-election, have been cleared of all charges.

Assemblyman Jung Chung-rae and Chairman Ha Jung-woo. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency on August 21, the police recently decided not to refer the case to prosecutors for indictment. Authorities determined that the use of the term in question did not go beyond mere inappropriate speech to constitute abuse, and that the child's developmental well-being was not actually hindered. The Busan District Prosecutors’ Office, Western Branch, made a similar assessment, resulting in the case being closed.

Previously, on May 3, while serving as party leader, Assemblyman Chung visited Gupo Market to support Ha's campaign in the Busan Buk-gu-gap by-election and stirred controversy by telling a female first-grade student to "call him oppa, Jung-woo oppa." At the time, candidate Ha, who was standing next to Chung, also chimed in by saying "oppa."

The Student·Parent·Teacher Human Rights Protection Alliance submitted a complaint to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office alleging emotional abuse under the Child Welfare Act. In response to the controversy, both Chung and Ha issued an official statement of apology, saying, “We sincerely apologize to the child and her parents for any hurt caused as a result of the child becoming the center of controversy during our visit to Gupo Market.”

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