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Culture Minister Yu In-chon bows to the public in apology for inappropriate remarks launched at photojournalists during a National Assembly audit session last week.

Culture and Tourism Minister Yu In-chon incited a scandal after remarks he made to photojournalists during a recent parliamentary audit session on October 24.

The number of Internet sites showing Yu’s remarks -- including video-sharing sites, blogs and community sites -- increased rapidly following the audit session, bringing widespread criticism of the minister’s remarks. Internet users on one Web site launched a signature campaign calling for Yu’s resignation. Opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party, have also put pressure on Yu to resign. The incident gained particular prominence because Yu is in charge of media affairs in the administration of President Lee Myung-bak, which has been frequently been accused of trying to take greater control of the media.

Since the incident occurred, Internet sites have been crackling with calls for Yu’s resignation. In just one day, more than 6,000 people had joined the signature campaign posted at the online-debate section on the Internet portal site Agora, which is operated by Daum Communications. One user wrote, “Hurling insulting remarks during a parliamentary audit session when people are watching is equivalent to hurling insulting remarks at the people.”

Another wrote, “This is the first time I’ve seen a minister hurl insulting remarks at journalists, who are working on behalf of the people’s right to know.”

A third wrote, “Yu’s view of the media is questionable.”

Politicians have also stepped up their criticism of Yu. On October 26, DP spokesperson Kim Yu-jeong called for the culture minister to step down, saying, “The irrational attitude shown by Yu during the parliamentary audit session is a clear example of how he views the press.”

Park Seung-heup, a spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Labor Party, described the scandal as a “tragic case that humiliates the people as well as insults the National Assembly. The only way (for Yu) to take responsibility is to resign voluntarily.”

Park Seon-young, a spokesperson for the Liberty Forward Party, also demanded Yu step down immediately “to take responsibility for making an unforgivable remark that ignored the National Assembly and the media.”

Some officials with the ruling Grand National Party also called Yu’s remarks “inappropriate.” In a press conference on October 26, Heo Tae-yeol, a member of the GNP’s supreme committee, denounced Yu’s remarks strongly, saying, “No matter what he says, it was his mistake and there should be no excuse.”

Following an emergency meeting held the same day, photojournalists affiliated with the Korea Press Photographers Association called on Yu to apologize for his actions.

At a hastily arranged press conference on the afternoon of October 26, Yu read a statement of apology. “Immediately after the end of the audit session at the National Assembly, I made an inappropriate remark because I lost my temper after hearing a remark that everyone, if they are human, would regard as humiliating. In any case, I am bowing to express my deepest apologies for my inappropriate remarks.” Asked about whether he would resign or not, Yu replied, “I have no desire to keep my post. I will step down to take responsibility if that is what is required.”

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