Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Yangcheon District chief candidate Woo Hyoung-chan, left, asks a baby for a peck as DPK Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o, right, holds the baby in Yangcheon District, Sunday. Captured from People Power Party Rep. Joo Jin-woo's social media
Ahead of the local elections on Wednesday, some candidates' use of insensitive language is exposing a widening gap between politicians and public sensibility in Korea.
The most recent incident came Sunday, when the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Woo Hyoung-chan, running for southwestern Seoul's Yangcheon District chief, sparked controversy after asking a baby for a peck at a campaign event. The baby was being held by DPK Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o at the time and a spokesperson for Chong intervened. Woo later apologized.
The People Power Party (PPP) condemned the remarks as inappropriate coercion. “Why would you ask a baby to do that?” PPP spokesperson Ham In-kyung said.
Ham added that parents today teach their children to set clear boundaries around physical contact with strangers and to feel free to say no. “Many parents were shocked to see a public figure casually ask a baby in public for a peck.”
