Woo Hyung-chan, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Yangcheon District chief, apologized Friday after sparking controversy by demanding a kiss from a child during a campaign event with Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh.
"There is no excuse for my careless and thoughtless words and actions today at the Paris Park campaign site in Yangcheon District alongside mayoral candidate Jeong," Woo said. "I sincerely apologize to the residents of Yangcheon District and to all parents."
He acknowledged saying "Kiss. Give a kiss" to a baby he met at the site. "It was my fault for treating the child from a one-sided adult perspective while claiming to meet children at their eye level," he said. He added that he would prioritize children's safety and human rights "not only at campaign sites but in every situation."
Earlier that day, Woo said "Just one kiss" toward a child being held by Jeong. Lim Se-eun, the on-site spokesperson for Jeong's campaign, tried to stop him, but Jeong continued to smile while holding and rocking the child several times.
Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party shared a video of the incident, saying, "Following the previously controversial 'forced oppa' incident, now we have a 'forced kiss' incident at a campaign site."
Ham In-kyung, spokesperson for the People Power Party Central Election Committee, issued a statement criticizing the incident. "Children are not tools for politicians to craft their image. The public is not just displeased but disgusted by this bizarre political culture that forces young children to call them 'oppa' and demands kisses from them," she said.
Shin Ju-ho, deputy spokesperson for the Central Election Committee, also criticized the candidates in a statement. "The abuse toward children does not stop," he said. "The bigger problem is the two Democratic Party candidates who don't know what they did wrong. Whether it's the Yangcheon District chief candidate who repeatedly demanded a kiss, or the Seoul mayoral candidate who only smiled while hearing such remarks, they are equally at fault."
