"Oppa" Remark Causes Controversy in South Korean Election Campaign

'Call me oppa' backfires on election trail; draws apology from ruling party chief

A remark centered on the word “oppa” has drawn political fire during South Korea’s heated election season, after Jung Chung-rae, chair of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, encouraged a young girl to use the term for its 48-year-old candidate while campaigning in Busan. During a visit to Gupo Market on Sunday, Jung told the girl, who said she was a first-grade elementary student, “What grade are you in? Say ‘Jung-woo oppa,’” referring to party candidate Ha Jung-woo. Ha also joined in, calling

By The Korea Herald