'Call him oppa': Politicians' outdated language draws fresh scrutiny

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Yangcheon District chief candidate Woo Hyoung-chan, left, asks a baby for a peck as DPK Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o, right, holds the baby in Yangcheon District, Sunday. Captured from People Power Party Rep. Joo Jin-woo's social media

Ahead of the local elections on Wednesday, some candidates' use of insensitive language is exposing a widening gap between politicians and public sensibility in Korea.

The most recent incident came Sunday, when the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Woo Hyoung-chan, running for southwestern Seoul's Yangcheon District chief, sparked controversy after asking a baby for a peck at a campaign event. The baby was being held by DPK Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o at the time and a spokesperson for Chong intervened. Woo later apologized.

The People Power Party (PPP) condemned the remarks as inappropriate coercion. “Why would you ask a baby to do that?” PPP spokesperson Ham In-kyung said.

Ham added that parents today teach their children to set clear boundaries around physical contact with strangers and to feel free to say no. “Many parents were shocked to see a public figure casually ask a baby in public for a peck.”

This is not the first time a politician's outdated or inappropriate use of language has stirred controversy during this campaign.

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate for Busan's Buk-A constituency Ha Jung-woo, right, shakes hands with vendors at Gupo Market in Busan, May 3. At left is DPK leader Jung Chung-rae. Yonhap

Last month, DPK leader Jung Chung-rae and Busan's Buk-A constituency candidate Ha Jung-woo, a former presidential secretary for artificial intelligence policy and future planning, sparked controversy over the term “oppa” — a Korean term girls and women use to address an older brother or man, often carrying connotations of familiarity or affection.

During a visit to Gupo Market in Busan, Jung asked an 8-year-old girl to call Ha oppa, a request many found inappropriate given the age gap between the child and Ha, who is 48 years old.

Following the incident, the National Institute of Korean Language addressed the term's limits in response to a public inquiry, noting that calling a man oppa upon first meeting, particularly when the age gap exceeds 40 years, would be considered inappropriate.

PPP Rep. Kim Min-jeon also drew criticism last month after waving at schoolgirls passing by during a campaign event in Busan and calling out that there were a lot of handsome oppas at the event.

Experts say such remarks reflect a broader failure among politicians to keep pace with shifting civic and gender sensitivity.

“Even in older times, this kind of behavior would not have been acceptable in a public election setting,” political commentator Kim Sang-il said.

“In a private setting, it might happen depending on the relationship, but a public setting is not only for those with close ties. There are people who don't know you personally, and they may feel uncomfortable. If you act with all voters in mind and stay humble, you simply would not behave that way.”

Kim also warned against the dangers of overconfidence on the campaign trail. “If you think victory is within reach, you can fall into self-absorption and begin acting in ways that come across as arrogant.”