The People Power Party has become embroiled in an "oppa" remark controversy at the Busan Buk-A National Assembly byelection campaign, following a similar incident involving the rival Democratic Party.
According to political circles on Tuesday, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Min-jeon conducted a walking campaign in the Mandeok-dong area of Buk-gu to support Park Min-shik, the party's candidate in the Buk-A byelection. During the campaign, female students who appeared to be in their early teens encountered Park's team, which was livestreaming on YouTube.
When the female students hesitated to pass through a narrow path, Kim waved her hand and said, "Hello, there are many handsome oppas here." The students left the scene after a man holding a camera said, "Go ahead, it's okay."
As the video spread online, critics argued that Kim's "oppa" remark was inappropriate. In response, Kim explained, "I said it to mean the female students should not be afraid and pass by comfortably." She added, "One media outlet wrote that I called Candidate Park 'oppa,' but I absolutely never did so, and I will file a press arbitration request over the false report."
On the 3rd, Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae faced strong criticism after telling a first-grade elementary school girl, "Here is Jung-woo oppa, try saying oppa," while supporting candidate Ha Jung-woo at Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan. Jung and Ha subsequently apologized to the female student and her parents.
