Cha is a controversial figure accused of various hate speeches,[3][4][5] as an example when he criticized the families of the victims of MV Sewol tragedy using harsh words.

[1][2][10] He also assisted Lee Hoi-chang, the former presidential candidate and the Chairman of the now-defunct Grand National Party (GNP), as well as Sohn Hak-kyu, the ex-Governor of Gyeonggi and the predecessor of Kim.

Cha ran as the MP candidate for Bucheon Sosa following the resignation of Kim running for Gyeonggi governorship.

[19][20] On 1 July 2019, Cha declared to withdraw his endorsement towards Hwang Kyo-ahn, the-then President of the LKP, for "praising" the Trump-Kim-Moon DMZ meeting.

[22] On 11 October 2011, Cha provoked a controversy after calling Park Won-soon, the oppositions' sole candidate for the Mayor of Seoul, as "an extreme socialist supporting pro-North Korean forces".

[23] On 16 April 2019, Cha faced a huge protests following his defamatory remarks against the bereaved family of MV Sewol tragedy.

[3][6][7] He also stated that "they're keep passing the buck to Park Geun-hye and Hwang Kyo-ahn but both of them are NOT related to the incident... maybe because they were brainwashed by left-wing bastards".

[32] Cha repeated his remarks on 17, 23 and 29 June,[33][34][35] with additional words "dunce", and asked Moon to go to North Korea.

[39] On 8 April 2020, Cha again provoked a controversy when he mentioned that some of bereaved families were involved in "threesome party" at an election debate 2 days ago.