Criticism has been raised by the People Power Party that Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Seoul mayor, and Woo Hyung-chan, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Yangcheon District chief who joined a park campaign event, forced a kiss on a baby they met during the rally.
On the 31st, Joo Jin-woo, a People Power Party lawmaker, posted on Facebook, a social network service (SNS), an article titled "Forcing a kiss this time? Chong Won-o's bizarre campaign." In a video from the Yangcheon-gu Paris Park rally posted by Joo showing the campaigns of the candidates, Chong can be heard saying to a baby they met in the park, "One kiss, a kiss."
Joo said, "When Chong was holding a baby during the campaign, people around pressured for a kiss," and noted, "Following the past controversy over 'forcing oppa,' now we even have 'forcing a kiss' on the campaign trail."
Shin Ju-ho, a deputy spokesperson for the People Power Party's central election committee, also said, "The Democratic Party leader forced children to use the term oppa, and the party's candidate forced inappropriate physical contact. The abuse toward children is not stopping," adding, "Even though the controversy over forcing oppa has swept the election, this grotesque behavior continues. At this point, it would not be out of place to call the Democratic Party the 'child abuse party.'"
Ham In-kyung, spokesperson for the central election committee, said, "Children are not props for crafting a politician's image. While forcing small children to say oppa and demanding a kiss, this bizarre political culture makes the public feel not just discomfort but chills."
Woo said, "While claiming to see from children's eye level, they actually approached the child with a one-sided adult perspective. I will think and act with children's safety and human rights as the top priority in all situations," adding, "I bow my head in apology to the hurt child and family, and to Yangcheon residents."