Ahn contrite over sexist room-salon comments

Grand National Chairman Ahn Sang-soo bows deeply yesterday as he offers an apology over sexist remarks. [YONHAP]

The leader of the ruling Grand National Party apologized yesterday for recent sexist remarks amid calls for his resignation from rival party members.

Ahn Sang-soo, GNP chairman, came under fire last week for saying that male visitors to hostess bars prefer girls with natural beauty over those who have had plastic surgery.

“I am solely to blame,” Ahn said during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Seoul. “While reflecting on my mistake over the past several days, I felt heavy responsibility as leader of the ruling party.”

Female lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party said Friday they would refer Ahn to the parliamentary ethics committee. Ahn also drew mockery last month after mistaking a Thermos bottle for a North Korean artillery shell during a visit to Yeonpyeong Island, the site of North Korea’s Nov. 23 artillery attack that killed two marines and two civilians.

“I am deeply sorry for causing great concern [to the people] in such difficult times with my remarks and mistakes unbefitting a ruling party leader,” Ahn said, pledging to work hard to revive the economy and improve the living conditions of ordinary people.

Rival party members insisted on Ahn’s resignation, saying an apology is not sufficient.

Yonhap