Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate from the Reform Party, noted on the 28th, 'Considering that this is a public broadcast, I mentioned the original expressions as refined as possible, yet the two candidates (Lee Jae-myung, Kwon Young-guk) avoided evaluating the matter or deferred their responses.'
The candidate is currently in controversy for using crude expressions when mentioning women's body parts during a TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission the previous day.
The 'chopstick remarks' refer to comments that were presumably posted on an online forum by the son of Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, and were disclosed by the Garosero Research Institute in 2021.
The candidate said via social media on that day, 'Yesterday, during the TV debate, I sought a position from the two candidates who have actively disclosed their stance on gender discrimination or hate issues regarding an unbelievable level of remarks made by someone online.'
The candidate stated, 'When confronted with distorted sexual consciousness that corresponds to sexual crimes, leaders should be able to make a firm evaluation regardless of their relationship, whether close or distant, so that the public can feel at ease.'
The candidate further claimed, 'I could not help but point out the hypocrisy of the progressive camp, which often uses the terms hate and division while remaining silent or ignoring issues within their own camp.' He added, 'I am convinced that candidates who cannot make a resolute judgment regarding distorted sexual consciousness are not qualified.'
The candidate recalled, 'During the 2017 presidential election, there was also controversy over the expression related to a pig estrus medication, but Hong Joon-pyo acknowledged that the expression in his autobiography was inappropriate, officially explained, and apologized.' He emphasized, 'A leader's stance is to disclose a responsible position before the public, even if it is uncomfortable.'
The progressive camp has been strongly criticizing the candidate's remarks. Jo Seung-rae, the chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, issued a written briefing immediately after the debate, stating, 'This shocking expression, which should never be uttered on air, has shocked the public waiting for the presidential candidate TV debate.'
Kwon Young-guk, the presidential candidate from the Democratic Labor Party, commented after the TV debate while meeting with reporters regarding Lee Jun-seok, 'He made it possible for specific candidates to be attacked through other candidates’ mouths,' adding, 'The intention is very impure.' Shin Min-ki, the deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Labor Party, also criticized, stating, 'The words that Lee Jun-seok spoke, which are utterly unacceptable, were heard in a debate viewed by teenagers, women, and all citizens, and the very act of presenting a sensational depiction of violence is horrific.'