"10,000 People Agree to Blue House Petition to Punish Kim Jaejoong for COVID-19 'April Fools' Joke'"

Singer and actor Kim Jaejoong. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] More than ten thousand people have agreed to a national petition demanding punishment for Kim Jaejoong (34), a member of the group JYJ, who lied about testing positive for the novel coronavirus infection.

On the afternoon of the 1st, a petition titled "Please punish celebrity Kim Jaejoong for his excessive April Fools' prank" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner explained in the post that Kim Jaejoong claimed on his SNS on the same day that he had tested positive for COVID-19, but when controversy arose, he revealed it was an "April Fools' joke." The petitioner then said, "Is it acceptable for a public figure to joke about COVID?"

Additionally, the netizen emphasized, "Even the news says excessive pranks are subject to punishment. Please punish Kim Jaejoong so that no one can play such pranks again."

As of 9 a.m. on the 2nd, this petition has gained the support of 11,700 people.

Earlier, on the same day, Kim Jaejoong posted an April Fools' prank on his SNS claiming he was infected with COVID-19. After continuous reports and negative reactions from overseas, he showed remorse by revealing his father's surgical history.