Namkung Hyung, the Democratic Party candidate for Jemulpo District chief, formally apologized on Monday for a remark referencing "Mute Samryong" during a debate. Bowing his head, Namkung said, "Whatever my intention was, I failed to consider that this could hurt people with disabilities and their families."
In his statement of apology that day, Namkung explained, "I was drawing a comparison to a character in a literary work, and there was absolutely no intent to demean or discriminate." He nonetheless added, "I deeply apologize to all those who may have been pained upon hearing that expression."
"I have learned, with a heavy heart, that language and expression can deeply wound someone," he said. "Going forward, I will speak more carefully and listen with a humble posture," he pledged.
The controversy began on the 25th at a debate for Jemulpo District chief candidates hosted by the election commission. When his opponent did not state a position on the issue of relocating the Incheon Port Authority, Namkung said, "He can't say anything. Is he Mute Samryong?"
The Incheon Federation of Organizations for the Disabled, comprising 25 groups including the Incheon branch of the Korea Association of the Deaf, staged a solo protest in front of the election office in Inhyeon-dong, Jung-gu, that day. One person with a disability who took part in the protest said, "That word is a trauma for deaf people."
After meeting with the disability groups that same day, Namkung promised to establish a sign language interpretation center in Jemulpo District, build a sign language interpretation support system across all fields including administration, welfare, medicine, and education, and guarantee the right to information access and communication for people with disabilities. "I will create a Jemulpo District where people with and without disabilities are respected together," he stressed.
