"‘May Transmit COVID to the President’ Kang Byung-kyu Sparks Controversy Over Call for Criminal Charges Against ‘Cheonan Ship Victims’ Grandmother"

On the 27th, President Moon Jae-in listens to questions from bereaved families at the West Sea Defense Day ceremony held at the National Daejeon National Cemetery. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] Former professional baseball player Kang Byung-kyu criticized a mother who lost her son in the Cheonan ship sinking.

On the 29th, Kang posted on his Twitter, "I was horrified to see the grandmother confronting President Moon Jae-in. All the bodyguards should be fired."

He continued, "That grandmother must be investigated for her identity, background, and past actions, and criminally punished," adding, "This is an emergency situation where she could even transmit the coronavirus to the president."

In a subsequent post, Kang stated, "Sympathy is forbidden. Show that being nice and easygoing can get you killed."

After Kang Byung-kyu posted demanding punishment for the Cheonan ship victim’s family member Yoon, netizens responded critically with comments like "Apologize immediately" and "Consider the bereaved family's position."

After retiring as a baseball player, Kang was legally detained in 2013 on fraud charges and is currently doing internet broadcasting. Last year, he continued his political activities by attending rallies supporting Cho Kuk.

The grandmother Kang mentioned is Yoon Cheong-ja, mother of Sergeant Min Pyeong-gi, who died in the Cheonan ship sinking on March 26, 2010. On that day, Yoon, wearing a raincoat, appealed, "Mr. President, Mr. President. Please tell us whether this was the work of North Korea or someone in the presidential entourage."

Yoon further requested repeatedly, "Until now, there has never been a truthful statement that this was North Korea’s doing. Please relieve this old woman’s grievance."

President Moon responded, "There is no change whatsoever in the government's official position."

After the Cheonan ship sinking in March 2010, the Ministry of National Defense formed a joint military-civilian investigation team, which concluded after seven months of investigation that the ship was sunk by an underwater explosion caused by a North Korean torpedo, resulting in shock waves and bubble effects that cut and sank the ship.