The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Joo Jin-woo on July 15, labeling his recent allegations as "malicious manipulation and incitement" after he suggested that First Lady Kim Hye-kyung performed a "hand-shaking off" gesture after greeting the President of Mongolia during a recent state visit.

On July 13, Rep. Joo posted a video on his Facebook page titled "Kim Hye-kyung's Hand-Shaking Off: Did She Shake Off National Dignity and Etiquette Too?" and wrote, "What is this 'hand-shaking' after using taxpayers' money to travel all the way to Mongolia?"

The video released by Rep. Joo shows First Lady Kim 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 that First Lady Kim also shook her hand after pulling a bowstring just before her handshake with President Khurelsukh.

In response, DPK Supreme Council member Hwang Myeong-seon said 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 and incitement."

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 switch careers to become a cyber-wrecker YouTuber," and emphasized, "If he has even a shred of conscience, he should apologize to the First Lady and the public, and delete the video immediately."

Spokesperson Park Hae-cheol also stated 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 plans to take legal action regarding Rep. Joo's posting of the video and related comments.

Following this, Rep. Joo wrote on Facebook, "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."

Rep. Joo further stated, "Trying to block criticism of power with the law is the very beginning of a dictatorship," and added, "I have the right to criticize the First Lady to show dignity befitting our national status on behalf of the citizens who pay for the state visit expenses. I will respond to the Democratic Party's legal actions. Starting tomorrow, I will initiate a collective constitutional appeal against the 'public gagging law'."