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In this altered image, Rep. Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, places Lee's right hand into the pot containing burning coals. / Captured from the Internet |
By Park Si-soo
Will ruling Saenuri Party leader Lee Jung-hyun really have his fingers burned?
He is under increasing pressure to keep his "promise" after President Park Geun-hye was impeached on Friday with the overwhelming support of opposition lawmakers and defiant members of the ruling party.
Lee, a Park loyalist, had gone to great lengths to derail the opposition-led impeachment drive. On Nov. 30, he told reporters, "I will put my hands into a pot of boiling sauce if the impeachment motion (against Park) is passed."
He made the comment to highlight his commitment to fending off Park's impeachment and to encourage fellow lawmakers of the ruling party to stand behind the idea of the President's voluntary resignation in April.
After the impeachment motion was passed, Lee solemnly said, "I can be blamed for this. I will take responsibility for everything."
On the same day, a photo of a steel pot and a bottle of Korean dipping sauce placed in front of Lee's room at the National Assembly was posted on an online community website. An A4 sheet of paper attached to a wall read, "This is the people's order. Have your fingers burned." A netizen who posted the photo wrote, "I was unable to get into the building with a portable stove."
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A steel pot and a bottle of dipping sauce are placed in front of the office of ruling Saenuri Party leader Lee Jung-hyun, in this photo posted on a community website, Friday. / Captured from the Internet |
The same set of products was delivered to Lee's office in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, a constituency Lee represents.
While it is uncertain whether Lee will really keep his promise, altered images of him grilling his hands have gone viral on social media.
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In this altered image, Lee bursts into laughter with his hand thrust into the hot pot. / Captured from the Internet |
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