Far-left party leader causes stir by saying ‘Ms. Park Geun-hye’

Lee Jung-hee, chairwoman of the Unified Progressive Party, has sparked controversy by calling President Park Geun-hye “Ms. Park Geun-hye” at a public protest rally.

At the rally at Seoul Station on Saturday, Lee never used the term "president" and referred the president as “”Ms. Park Geun-hye,” “dictator,” and “dictatorial Park Geun-hye force.”

“’Park Geun-hye ssi (Ms.)’ is none other than a dictator, who even fires the prosecutor-general if the latter does not follow order,” Lee said. “Park Geun-hye ssi is none other than a dictator, who fabricates the crime of rebellion collusion against an opposition party for criticizing the administration, and takes motion to disband the party, destroying the Constitution and oppressing the opposition parties.”

Rep. Hong Ji-man, floor leader of the Saenuri Party, told a media briefing on Sunday, “With the public demanding disbanding of the Unified Progressive Party, Chairwomen Lee’s ill-advised practice of making rough words will only end up causing the public to further ostracize the party.”

Hong Seong-gyu, spokesman for the Unified Progressive Party, immediately countered the Saenuri Party’s comments by saying, “How do you expect us to continue to be well-mannered? It is the Unified Progressive Party’s mission to speak in support of the public’s sentiment of protest against a ruler who chose to be a dictator.”