Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Korean lawmaker belittles Philippines
Rep. Lee Un-ju / Korea Times file
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
A high-profile Korean lawmaker has come under criticism after belittling the Philippines in defending the economic policies of former military dictator Park Chung-hee.
In a recent
, a local daily, Rep. Lee Un-ju of the minor conservative Bareunmirae Party said “Koreans would have lived in a country worse than the Philippines” if Park had not ruled the country in such a way.
“There have been many dictators across East Asia and Africa. Most of them failed to develop the economy, unlike former President Park. We should recognize his achievement,” she added in a comment apparently aimed at Ferdinand Marcos, the late Philippine strongman who ruled the country from 1965-86.
While some Koreans take her remarks only as a political attack against liberals, who generally share negative views about Park, others find them offensive to the people of the Philippines and diplomatically problematic.
“If I were a Filipino, I wouldn't forgive Lee Un-ju. I wonder what Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte would say to her if he heard her words,” a netizen said. “The Philippines is a country that sent us troops during the Korean War, which we should be grateful for … It is regrettable that a lawmaker made such a comment just because Korea is wealthier than the Philippines … I'm deeply ashamed.”
Some people urged the lawmaker to apologize.
The Philippines is a key economic and diplomatic partner of Korea in the region. More than 1.5 million Korean tourists visit the country every year and 100,000 Koreans live there.
During his summit with Korean President Moon Jae-in in early June, Duterte called Korea “a true friend” and said the two countries should continue to work together for peace, progress and prosperity in Asia.