Incheon City Council Member Lee Dan-bi Apologizes for Controversial Comments

Lee Dan-bi (이단비), a member of the Incheon City Council from the People Power Party (국민의힘), has issued an apology for her inappropriate remarks made during a heated exchange on social media. The 37-year-old councilor expressed regret, stating, "I apologize for showing low-level behavior," and acknowledged that her initial comment, which belittled educational backgrounds, was entirely her fault. Despite her apology, calls for her expulsion from the council have surged, with over 820 posts demanding her removal appearing on the Incheon City Council's 'Citizen's Voice' bulletin board by 8 PM on June 7, 2025.

The controversy began on June 5 when a user named Cha (차모) posted on social media questioning the qualifications of Lee Jun-seok (이준석), suggesting that high academic credentials do not necessarily equate to competence. In response, Lee Dan-bi commented, "You don’t have a good educational background, do you? Haha," which escalated into a back-and-forth exchange. Cha later criticized Lee's behavior, prompting her to retaliate with personal attacks. The situation intensified when Cha reported Lee's comments to the police, to which she responded that she would counter with a defamation claim.

In addition to her exchange with Cha, Lee has made other controversial comments on social media, including derogatory remarks about political figures and using harsh language in discussions with other users. One citizen, expressing outrage on the council's forum, stated, "We do not want a council member who mocks others based on their educational background while receiving taxpayer money. Such a person should be expelled from public service."