Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korea’s Gyeonggi governor says president’s post was not aimed at her
Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said she did not believe President Lee Jae-myung’s recent social media post was aimed at her.
She made the comment during a parliamentary audit of the provincial government in Suwon, South Korea.
Lee’s post criticized officials he said had lived comfortably and cut welfare spending for people in need, without naming anyone.
Some interpreted it as a reference to Choo amid debate over provincial welfare budgets and a residence contract.
Choo said she had experienced a difficult childhood and had not lived extravagantly or ignored ordinary people’s needs.
Asked about criticism of her residence arrangements, she said the lease would be returned when the contract ended and disputed that it was luxurious.
The exchange took place during the audit; no further action was stated.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said she did not think President Lee Jae-myung’s recent social media post was aimed at her.
She was responding to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young during a parliamentary audit of the provincial government on October 13.
Lee’s post criticized people who, he said, had lived comfortably in high office and could not understand ordinary people’s hardships.
Some political observers interpreted the post as an indirect criticism of Choo amid debate over welfare budget cuts and her official residence.
Choo said she had experienced a difficult childhood and rejected the suggestion that she was unfamiliar with ordinary people’s lives or lived extravagantly.
- Who
- Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae and President Lee Jae-myung.
- What
- Choo said she did not think Lee’s social media post was aimed at her.
- When
- Choo answered questions on October 13; Lee posted the comments on October 11.
- Where
- At the Gyeonggi provincial government’s parliamentary audit in Suwon, South Korea.
- Why
- The post prompted speculation that it referred to Choo amid debate over welfare budget cuts and her official residence.
Some political observers interpreting the post as a criticism of Choo
Choo Mi-ae
Target of Lee’s post
Some political observers interpreting the post as a criticism of Choo
The post may have been an indirect reference to Choo, amid debate over welfare budget cuts and her official residence.
Choo Mi-ae
Choo said she did not think Lee was referring to her.
Understanding of ordinary people’s hardships
Some political observers interpreting the post as a criticism of Choo
Lee criticized people he said could not understand the lives of ordinary citizens.
Choo Mi-ae
Choo said she had experienced a difficult childhood and had not lived extravagantly or harmed others through luxury.
President Lee posted comments on X criticizing people he said could not understand ordinary citizens’ hardships.
Choo said during a parliamentary audit in Suwon that she did not think Lee’s post was aimed at her.
- Governor
- Choo Mi-ae
- President
- Lee Jae-myung
- Post date
- October 11
- Response date
- October 13
- Location
- Gyeonggi provincial government, Suwon, South Korea
- Questioner
- Joo Ho-young, People Power Party lawmaker
What people are saying
People who have lived comfortably thanks to their parents and held high office throughout their lives without difficulty find it hard to understand the lives and outlook of struggling ordinary citizens.
I do not think the president was targeting me.
I do not think I was the person he was referring to; the media misunderstands it that way, and one lives amid many misunderstandings. It is the fate of politicians.
Do you feel aggrieved by the president’s attack?
Sources
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