Kim Jae-seop "Lee Jun-seok's 'Chopstick Remark', the Intention is Understandable but It Went Too Far"

[Financial News] Kim Jae-seop, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the controversy over Lee Jun-seok's so-called 'chopstick remark' during the presidential campaign of the Gaehyeok Shindang, saying, "The intention and heart are understandable, but even if it wasn't his wording, the expression went too far."

Kim appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 29th and said, "Candidate Lee wanted to point out the progressive party, which has talked a lot about women's issues and human rights, for remaining silent on sexual crimes and sexual issues."

He said, "Candidate Lee's intention was to say 'look at the moon, not the finger' while pointing at the moon, but he raised his middle finger instead of the index finger to point at the moon," adding, "So the moon was only visible to Candidate Lee, who raised his middle finger."

He emphasized, "Even if it wasn't Candidate Lee's wording, the fact that such an expression appeared in the debate itself is shocking, and the words themselves were rough and hard to accept."

When asked by the host 'How should Candidate Lee get out of this situation?', he replied, "Candidate Lee unusually stepped back and apologized," adding, "It's the first time I've seen Candidate Lee, who has had many controversies and issues, step back like this."

He continued, "It seems that he himself thought the expression was excessive," and added, "As someone who wants to be a leader, there is no need to bring such wording and roll in the mud with Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate."

Regarding the issue of unification, Kim said, "There is no news about unification yet, but it seems difficult at the moment," adding, "I often meet with Chun Ha-ram, a member of the Gaehyeok Shindang, and even if I offer to buy a meal, they firmly draw the line saying 'no unification'."

He pointed out, "As time goes by, and after our candidate was decided, there was no change in position at all," adding, "I think the minimum condition for unification with Candidate Lee was to accept a few things demanded by former representative Han Dong-hoon."

He expressed regret, saying, "Since none of that was done, it was naturally difficult for Candidate Lee to find justification for unification," and "I hoped that the entire conservative camp would smoothly unify from the beginning, fight in a single line, and sever ties with former President Yoon Seok-yeol, so that we could have a situation worth competing in the election."


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter