The National Institute of the Korean Language concluded that calling a male senior by age "oppa" when meeting for the first time, if he is older by 40 years or more, is inappropriate as a matter of etiquette.
On the 7th, the National Institute of the Korean Language responded to a citizen's online post titled "Inquiry about the dictionary meaning of the title 'oppa' and its possible scope of use," saying, "An age gap of about 40 years goes beyond the usual category of 'older siblings' and approaches the parent generation," and added, "Therefore, considering social norms and language etiquette, the title 'oppa' does not appear appropriate."
The citizen asked the National Institute of the Korean Language whether, in a first-encounter situation, it could still fall within the general scope of the definition—"a friendly way for a younger woman to refer to or address an older man who is a male senior by age between unrelated people"—for a younger woman to call a much-older male senior by age "oppa."
In response, regarding the use of the title "oppa," the National Institute of the Korean Language said, "There is no separate provision stipulated in orthographic norms," but added, "At a first meeting, there is insufficient emotional rapport for 'warm affection (jeong)' to form, so using the title 'oppa,' which emphasizes intimacy, is not considered natural."
Meanwhile, on the 3rd at Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan, Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea, while campaigning with Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo, repeatedly urged a first-grade elementary school girl to "try calling me 'oppa.'"
In response, criticism has continued to pour in from civil society, the opposition, and various sectors of society. The Korean National Council of Women said, "The remark urging a member of the future generation and a voter to call him 'oppa' in a public space clearly reveals the absence of a gender-sensitive perspective." Sung Il-jong of the People Power Party wrote on Facebook, "It is truly embarrassing to see 62-year-old Jung Chung-rae and 50-year-old Ha Jung-woo forcing a first-grade elementary school girl to 'try calling us oppa.'"
As the remarks drew controversy, Jung issued a statement saying, "In relation to the circumstances during the visit to Gupo Market, I apologize to the child and the child's parents, who must have been hurt by being placed at the center of the controversy." Ha also said in a statement, "During the process of meeting local residents, a child ended up at the center of the controversy," adding, "I offer my apologies to the child and the parents, who must have been hurt."