▲ Former lawmaker, Choe Kang-wook walks in the hallway of the National Assembly building in Seoul, in this file photo taken Sept. 18, 2023. (Yonhap)
▲ Woman lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party holds a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, denouncing remarks made by Choe Kang-wook, a former lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party, on Nov. 21, 2023. (Yonhap)

DP-remarks

DP issues warning against ex-lawmaker for using word deemed insulting to women

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) issued a warning against one of its members Tuesday for using a word deemed insulting to women.

Choe Kang-wook, a former lawmaker of the DP, came under fire after using the Korean word, "amkeot," which is used to refer to female animals, as he compared the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol to the animal farm in George Orwell's beast fable of the same name, during a book publishing event held Sunday.

Choe said he had no intention to talk down women.

But amid heavy criticism, the DP's secretary general, Rep. Cho Jeong-sik, issued a warning against Choe saying his remark was "hurtful" and "very wrong," according to the party.

Women lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said the warning was merely a slap on the wrist.

"The former lawmaker poured out unspeakable nonsense that belittled women ... Someone like Choe, who brings the standards of Korean politics down to the bottom, should permanently be expelled from political circles," said Rep. Kim Young-sun, in a press conference, on behalf of women lawmakers of the PPP.

She also demanded the expulsion of other DP lawmakers that invited Choe to the event, including Reps. Min Hyung-bae and Kim Yong-min.

Choe was ousted from parliament in September after he was handed a suspended prison term for issuing a false intern certificate for the son of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. He lost his seat in parliament, but has kept his party membership.

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