"Kimhae has a lot of reds," said National Assemblyman Kuk-heem, who eventually apologized.

ⓒYonhap News Agency

Lee Mi-ae, a member of the People's Power, the chairman of the Gimhae City Council in South Gyeongsang Province, who caused a stir by saying, "Kimhae has a lot of red people," eventually apologized.

On the 22nd, lawmaker Lee explained, "At a rally against the president's impeachment in Changwon on the 19th, an excited citizen immediately responded by shouting, 'Gimhae Red, come down,' and improvised, 'Gimhae has a lot of red' to calm the excitement."

"I've never thought of Kim Hae-min as a red, and I tried to respond quickly to the excited crowd's remarks and switch to a different story, but I lacked a response," he said.

He apologized, saying, "I sincerely apologize because it is an inappropriate word according to the listener's interpretation, and I ask for forgiveness from Gimhae citizens who would have been hurt by this."

Earlier, Representative Lee and Representative Kim Yoo-sang, the floor leader of the city council's People's Power, took the podium at the rally held in Changwon on the 19th and said, "There are many reds in Gimhae. That's why it's quite difficult to do parliamentary activities." and "To unleash the power of our free, right-wing Korean patriotism in Gimhae, which was said to be red...." made remarks such as

In particular, Rep. Lee posted a video on his social media (SNS) account and said in an interview with the media in this regard, "What did the red comment do wrong? "I think the public or citizens will judge this remark, and I don't think there is any reason to apologize at this time," he said.

Regarding the reversal of his position, Lee explained, "I apologized to citizens because this statement was inappropriate and admitted to wrongdoing." In addition, if the city council files a complaint with the ethics committee for violating the dignity of members, he/she said, "I will comply with the will of the members."

On the same day, the Gimhae Citizens' Solidarity for Resignation of Yoon Suk Yeol, a group of civil society organizations in Gimhae, held a press conference at the City Hall Press Center and demanded Lee and Kim resign immediately. Local residents also complained by calling the city council and city hall or posting on their website.