Reading Material: Former Daegu Mayor's Symbolic Blue Tie Controversy

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Reading Material: Former Daegu Mayor's Symbolic Blue Tie Controversy

Date: May 19, 2025

Introduction

This article discusses former Daegu mayor Hwang Kyo-ahn's decision to change his profile picture on social media to one of him wearing a blue necktie. This has led to various interpretations, as the blue color is currently used as the symbol of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
시장 sijang mayor The former mayor of Daegu changed his profile picture to one of him wearing a blue necktie.
파란색 paransaek blue color The blue color is currently used as the symbol of the Democratic Party of Korea.
넥타이 neoktai necktie The former mayor's photo showed him wearing a blue necktie.
홍준표 Hong Junpyo name of former Daegu mayor The former mayor, Hong Jun-pyo, changed his profile picture to one of him wearing a blue necktie.
하와이 Hawai Hawaii The former mayor went to Hawaii, saying he was not there for vacation but to "temporarily seek asylum" from the presidential election.
선대위 seondaewi campaign committee The campaign committee of the People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo sent a "Hawaii special envoy team" to persuade the former mayor to join their committee.
탈당 taldang to leave a political party After failing to win the People Power Party's presidential primary, the former mayor left the party.
망명 mangmyeong to seek asylum The former mayor said he went to Hawaii not for vacation but to "temporarily seek asylum" from the presidential election.

Reading Text

파란색 넥타이를 매고 웃고 있는 홍준표 전 대구시장의 프로필 사진이 화제가 되고 있다. 현재 더불어민주당의 상징색으로 쓰이고 있는 파란색을 홍 전 시장이 선택한 이유에 대해 다양한 해석이 나오고 있다.

The former mayor of Daegu, Hwang Kyo-ahn, has drawn attention by changing his profile picture to one of him smiling while wearing a blue necktie. Various interpretations have been made about why the former mayor chose the blue color, which is currently used as the symbol of the Democratic Party of Korea.

국민의힘 김문수 대선 후보 선대위가 홍 전 시장의 선대위 합류를 설득하기 위해 '하와이 특사단'을 보냈다. 이들은 파란색 넥타이를 매고 웃는 모습이었다. 이에 대해 홍 전 시장은 "(넥타이를) 파란색만 맨다고 하는데 원래 파란색은 한나라당 색"이라고 설명했다.

The campaign committee of the People Power Party's presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo sent a "Hawaii special envoy team" to persuade the former mayor to join their committee. The team members were seen smiling and wearing blue neckties. In response, the former mayor explained that "they say I'm only wearing a blue necktie, but blue was originally the color of the Grand National Party."

홍 전 시장은 국민의힘 대선 경선에 나섰으나 탈락한 뒤 탈당했다. 이후 하와이로 떠난 그는 "하와이는 놀러 온 게 아니고 대선을 피해 잠시 망명 온 것"이라며 "대선이 끝나면 돌아가겠다"고 밝혔다.

The former mayor ran in the People Power Party's presidential primary but failed to win the nomination and subsequently left the party. After going to Hawaii, he said, "I didn't come to Hawaii for a vacation, but to temporarily seek asylum from the presidential election. I will return once the election is over."

Grammar Points

-기 위해(서) in order to

Attached to a verb stem nominalized with -기, it means 'in order to' or 'for the purpose of'. Formation: verb stem + -기 위해(서).

📖 국민의힘 김문수 대선 후보 선대위가 홍 전 시장의 선대위 합류를 설득하기 위해 '하와이 특사단'을 보냈다. The campaign committee of People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-su sent a 'Hawaii envoy delegation' in order to persuade former Mayor Hong to join the campaign committee.

✏️ 건강을 지키기 위해 매일 운동을 해요. I exercise every day in order to stay healthy.

-고 있다 be ~ing

Attached to a verb stem with -고, followed by 있다, it expresses an ongoing action or state (progressive). Formation: verb stem + -고 있다.

📖 파란색 넥타이를 매고 웃고 있는 홍준표 전 대구시장의 프로필 사진이 화제가 되고 있다. The profile photo of former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, smiling while wearing a blue tie, is becoming a hot topic.

✏️ 지금 친구를 기다리고 있어요. I am waiting for a friend right now.

Cultural Notes

The blue color is currently used as the symbol of the Democratic Party of Korea, the main opposition party. The former mayor's decision to wear a blue necktie in his profile picture has led to various interpretations about his political leanings and potential alliances. The article also mentions that the former mayor previously belonged to the Grand National Party (now the People Power Party), which used blue as its color. These political party colors and affiliations are important context for understanding the significance of the former mayor's actions.

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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Why did the former mayor of Daegu change his profile picture to one of him wearing a blue necktie?

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Q2

What was the purpose of the "Hawaii special envoy team" sent by the People Power Party's presidential candidate's campaign committee?

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Q3

How did the former mayor explain the reason for wearing a blue necktie?

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Q4

Why did the former mayor go to Hawaii?

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Q5

What did the former mayor say he would do after the presidential election?

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