Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
South Korean lawmaker faces criticism over comment about President Lee
People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo commented on social media, using a phrase about President Lee Jae-myung that critics said suggested ending the president’s life.
The Democratic Party called the comment unacceptable and demanded that Joo resign.
It also said it was considering referring him to the National Assembly’s ethics committee.
Lee was attacked and his life was threatened in Busan in January 2024.
Joo said he meant that the government’s term was effectively over and Lee should be impeached, following what he called an “imperial golf” incident.
He accused a media outlet of distorting his words.
South Korean lawmaker Joo Jin-woo faced criticism after posting a comment aimed at President Lee Jae-myung on social media.
The comment, “When it is time to cut off Lee Jae-myung’s life,” prompted the Democratic Party to call for Joo to resign and face an ethics committee complaint.
The Democratic Party said the wording evoked killing the president, who was threatened in a political attack in Busan in January 2024.
Joo said he meant that the government’s fate was sealed and Lee should be impeached, and accused a media outlet of distorting his words.
- Who
- People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo and the Democratic Party.
- What
- Joo posted a comment about President Lee Jae-myung that drew criticism. He said he meant Lee should be impeached.
- When
- October 12, 2026. The comment and the responses were reported that day.
- Where
- On social media. The platform was not stated.
- Why
- The Democratic Party said Joo’s wording evoked killing the president. Joo said he was referring to the government’s fate and impeachment.
Democratic Party
Joo Jin-woo
Meaning of the comment
Democratic Party
The wording evoked killing President Lee and was an unacceptable remark.
Joo Jin-woo
He meant that the government’s fate was sealed and Lee should be impeached.
Response
Democratic Party
The party called for Joo to resign and said it would consider filing a complaint with the National Assembly’s ethics committee.
Joo Jin-woo
He rejected what he called a distorted interpretation by a media outlet.
a shocking extreme-right remark that abandons basic human decency
It means that, because of the Lee Jae-myung imperial golf incident, the government’s fate is sealed and Lee Jae-myung should be impeached.
Joo posted “When it is time to cut off Lee Jae-myung’s life” in response to a social media post.
The Democratic Party condemned the comment and called for Joo to resign, while saying it would consider referring him to the National Assembly ethics committee.
Joo said he meant Lee should be impeached and accused a media outlet of distorting his words.
- Lawmaker
- Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party
- President
- Lee Jae-myung
- Comment
- When it is time to cut off Lee Jae-myung’s life
- Party response
- Called for Joo’s resignation and said it would consider an ethics committee complaint
- Date
- October 12, 2026
Sources
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