Rep. Shin Ji-ho of the governing party resigned as a spokesman for the Seoul mayor candidate of his party. He appeared Friday on a TV talk show under the influence of alcohol. He often gave roaming replies to questions, a clear indication that he went on air after drinking.
He claimed that he was not intoxicated as he took a shower after drinking alcohol before appearing the show. However, his remarks were sometimes pointless. For example, he confused bridge with leg because the two words have the same pronunciations.
His mistake has tarnished the image of the governing party attempting to win the Seoul mayoral race this month. The talk show was a forum where the lawmaker was to campaign for his party's candidate Rep. Ra Kyung-won against the unified opposition candidate Park Won-soon.
The appearance of the drunk lawmaker on the TV show has angered and alienated viewers. His moral laxity also reflects the defeatism now prevailing in the governing camp.
The Seoul mayoral by-election is a life-or-death competition which will set the climate for the parliamentary and presidential elections next year.