Kim Min-seok Criticizes Political Commentator's "Minhyukdang Execution" Remark as "Crossing the Line"... Cho Kuk Condemns It As "Going Too Far"

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok has criticized a political commentator's remark—which referenced the People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) incident while mentioning the Rebuilding Korea Party's potential new party name, alluding to the so-called "Minhyukdang execution"—stating that it "crossed the line."

Writing on Facebook today (the 27th), Kim stated, "Public figures must not lose their tension and restraint. Immediate, substantial self-reflection and an apology are essential."

Earlier, political commentator Kim Jun-il appeared on the YouTube show "Genre-specific Yeouido" on JTBC yesterday and, while conversing with other panelists about "Democratic Innovation Party" being floated as a new name for the Rebuilding Korea Party, joked, "Minhyukdang, looks like they'd all be executed," prompting laughter from other cast members.

However, this drew heavy criticism for trivializing the People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) incident, a major public security fabrication case under the Park Chung-hee regime.

The youth committee of the Rebuilding Korea Party also issued a statement today, saying, "This is an unacceptable absurd remark under any circumstances and an act of hate agitation disguised as political commentary. We express strong anger over the disparagement of democratization history and the mockery of victims of state violence, and we demand the immediate cancellation of the program."

Cho Kuk, director of the Innovation Policy Institute of the same party, also wrote on Facebook, "Using expressions that evoke victims of judicial murder while giggling goes far beyond the acceptable limit. Both the speaker and the host must formally apologize on the next YouTube broadcast. The Rebuilding Korea Party will file a complaint against this matter with the Press Arbitration Commission."

In response, commentator Kim Jun-il posted on Facebook, offering an apology by stating, "There is no room for excuse; it was my carelessness and my fault."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.