DP Criticizes PPP Rep. Joo Jin-woo for 'Malicious Manipulation' Over Video of First Lady Kim Hye-kyung

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Joo Jin-woo on July 15, calling his recent claims regarding First Lady Kim Hye-kyung a case of malicious manipulation and agitation. Rep. Joo had alleged that the First Lady performed a gesture of shaking off her hand after shaking hands with the President of Mongolia during a recent state visit.

On July 13, Rep. Joo posted a video on his Facebook page titled, "First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Shakes Off Her Hand; Has She Shaken Off National Dignity and Etiquette as Well?" and stated, "What is this 'hand-shaking' gesture after using taxpayer money to travel all the way to Mongolia?"

The video released by Rep. Joo shows the First Lady shaking her right hand immediately after shaking hands with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh at a traditional archery range in Ulaanbaatar on July 11.

However, other footage capturing a longer sequence of the event shows the First Lady shaking her hand after pulling a bowstring, even before her handshake with President Khurelsukh.

In response, DPK Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-sun stated at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Even though the full video clearly shows her in pain after pulling the bowstring, they edited and circulated only the scene where she shakes her hand after the handshake," adding, "This is a despicable and malicious act of manipulation."

Hwang continued, "Is Rep. Joo truly a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea? He should resign from his parliamentary seat and become a cyber-wrecker YouTuber instead," and emphasized, "If he has a shred of conscience, he should apologize to the First Lady and the public, and delete the video immediately."

Spokesperson Park Hae-cheol also said in a briefing, "Now I understand why the People Power Party has been so opposed to the anti-fake news law," adding, "The Democratic Party will protect the public from false, manipulated information and cyber-wrecker crimes through the anti-fake news law."

The DPK stated that it plans to take legal action regarding Rep. Joo's posting of the video and related comments.

Following this, Rep. Joo wrote on his Facebook page, "The presidential office is attacking me for criticizing a diplomatic faux pas, and the Democratic Party says they will take legal action," adding, "Stop the sycophancy toward power."

He further added, "As a representative of the people who bear the costs of overseas visits, I have the right to criticize the First Lady to show dignity befitting the national status," and, "I will respond to the Democratic Party's legal actions. Starting tomorrow, I will begin a collective constitutional appeal against the so-called 'gag-the-people' law."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.