SEOUL — Ihn Yohan, the American Korean head of the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) innovation committee, publicly voiced his disappointment on Monday regarding former party leader Lee Jun-seok's choice to address him in English at an event, treating him as a foreigner.
According to Yonhap News Agency, who was born and raised in South Korea and is fluent in Korean, Lee engaged with him in English during a gathering in the southeastern city of Busan on Saturday. This act, which Ihn and some critics have labeled as racist, occurred despite Ihn’s proficiency in Korean and his status as the PPP's innovation chief, a role he assumed last month to spearhead reforms and mend internal rifts within the party.
The incident unfolded as Ihn, a medical doctor by profession, sought to resolve ongoing disputes within the party, including the contentious relationship between Lee and party figures allied with President Yoon Suk Yeol. After multiple attempts to arrange a meeting with Lee were rebuffed, Ihn made the journey to Busan with the intention of conversing with him. However, Lee's engagement from the podium, referencing Ihn with his American name, John Linton, and speaking in English, was met with a tepid reception.
During the event, Lee's remarks suggested a distinction between Ihn's appearance and his affiliation with the PPP, and he made a veiled comment about President Yoon, referring to him as "the real patient" in Seoul. Ihn, maintaining his composure, responded in Korean, showcasing his command of the language and hinting at his language skills.
In a radio interview following the incident, Ihn reiterated his sentiments of disappointment and the discomfort of being perceived as an outsider due to his appearance. This exchange highlights the divisions within the PPP, as Lee, in a newspaper interview released the same Monday, disclosed contemplations of departing from the party to form his own in the coming month.
Amid these internal party dynamics, Ihn continues to advocate for party seniors to consider the broader implications of their political ambitions, urging them not to seek reelection or to contest in challenging electoral districts, citing the future of the presidency and the nation as paramount considerations.