[Comprehensive] "Why Are We Giving Our Taxes... to Japan?" Controversy Over Gyeongju City's Support for Quarantine Supplies Spreads Widely

"Dismiss Jun Nak-yeong" "Boycott Gyeongju" Flood of Criticism on Gyeongju City Hall Bulletin Board
Gyeongju Mayor: "I've Taken All the Insults of My Life"

Gyeongju City announced on the 21st that it sent 1,200 sets of stockpiled protective suits and 1,000 protective goggles each by air to Nara City, its sister city in Japan, and Kyoto City, its exchange city, on the 17th. The photo shows Nara Mayor Nakagawa Ken holding a sign that says "Thank you" after receiving the quarantine supplies sent by Gyeongju City, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Gyeongju City in Gyeongbuk Province is facing fierce criticism for supporting Japan with quarantine supplies amid difficulties in responding to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Some netizens are even demanding, "Mayor Ju Nak-young of Gyeongju should resign," and "We will boycott Gyeongju." As the controversy spreads, Mayor Ju Nak-young stated, "We received help from a Japanese city during the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake." However, despite this explanation, a petition requesting the dismissal of Mayor Ju has been posted on the Blue House's public petition board, intensifying the controversy.

On the 17th, Gyeongju City provided 1,200 sets of protective suits and 1,000 protective goggles each, which had been stockpiled by Gyeongju, to its sister city Nara City and exchange city Kyoto City in Japan via air transport.

On the 21st, Gyeongju City disclosed this fact through a press release and announced plans to support other friendly Japanese cities struggling with the COVID-19 situation by providing 500 sets of protective suits and 500 protective goggles each.

According to Gyeongju City, Nara City sent 12.9 million yen (about 135 million KRW) in citizen donations to Gyeongju City, which was damaged by Typhoon "Annie" in 1998. When a magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred in Gyeongju in September 2016, the Nara City Architectural Society donated 206,000 yen (about 2.4 million KRW). Additionally, Gyeongju City stated that it is currently negotiating a cruise business with Kyoto City, which is a member of the federation.

Photo by Gyeongju City Hall Free Bulletin Board Capture

Once this fact became known, hundreds of posts opposing the support of quarantine supplies to Japan and criticizing the mayor flooded various online communities, including the Gyeongju City Hall free bulletin board.

As the controversy grew, Mayor Ju wrote on his Facebook on the 22nd, "I have been subjected to tremendous criticism and attacks overnight regarding the support," adding, "I feel like I have been cursed with every insult imaginable, such as being called a 'local pro-Japanese,' 'Jjokbari' (a derogatory term for Japanese), 'crazy,' and 'typical of the United Future Party'."

Regarding the background of supporting Japan with quarantine supplies, Mayor Ju emphasized, "Helping in times of difficulty is what true friends and neighbors do," and "It does not matter who extends a hand first. Now, South Korea and Japan must cooperate to respond to COVID-19."

On the 22nd, Joo Nak-young, the mayor of Gyeongju City, clarified on his Facebook post that "this support of quarantine supplies from Japan was carried out under the principle of reciprocity." / Photo by Joo Nak-young Facebook capture

He continued, "I humbly accept criticism asking why I did such a thing amid rampant anti-Japanese sentiment," but explained, "When we faced great difficulties due to the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake, we received much help from overseas sister and friendly cities, including Japan. This support of quarantine supplies is based on the principle of reciprocity."

He added, "Currently, Japan is in a much more difficult situation in terms of quarantine than we are," and "The economic powerhouse Japan is unable to conduct timely testing due to a shortage of vinyl protective suits and plastic goggles. At times like this, offering help from a magnanimous cultural nation like ours is the true way to win over Japan."

Mayor Ju emphasized, "The relationship among South Korea, China, and Japan has deep historical ups and downs and mixed public sentiments, but it is a relationship that must be viewed with a long-term perspective and patience."

Gyeongju City also released a photo of Nara City Mayor Nakagawa Ken holding a sign that says "Thank you" in front of the quarantine supplies sent by Gyeongju City.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board

Despite Mayor Ju's stance, the controversy has not subsided. A petition requesting his dismissal has even been posted. On the 22nd, a petition titled "I earnestly request the dismissal of Gyeongju Mayor Ju Nak-young!" was posted on the Blue House public petition board.

The petitioner stated, "I am an ordinary Gyeongju citizen who lives in Gyeongju, runs a small business, and raises three children while diligently paying taxes," and urged, "I earnestly request the dismissal of Gyeongju Mayor Ju Nak-young."

He pointed out, "In this time when the entire nation is receiving disaster relief funds due to the COVID-19 crisis, Ju Nak-young, who unilaterally supported Japan with quarantine supplies, should step down from the position of Gyeongju mayor."

He criticized, "Due to Mayor Ju Nak-young's arrogant and unilateral abnormal administration, all Gyeongju citizens are being collectively criticized, and the boycott of the tourist city Gyeongju is spreading like wildfire."

He raised his voice, saying, "The worker who should revive Gyeongju's economy and work for its citizens is instead obsessed with a sense of authority, ruling over citizens, not communicating, and wasting hard-earned taxes on an irrelevant place called Japan."

Posts condemning Gyeongju City continue even today (the 24th). As of 10 a.m. on this day, posts criticizing Gyeongju City and Mayor Ju appeared on the Gyeongju City Hall bulletin board, such as "Supporting Japan in this situation? That's crazy," and "Why are you using taxpayers' money to support Japan when Korean citizens have turned their backs on Japan?" There are also many harsh criticisms like "traitor to the nation" and "Is the Gyeongju mayor a sellout?"

One Gyeongju citizen said, "As a fellow Gyeongbuk resident, I am truly ashamed and angry," and urged, "Resign immediately and bring back the quarantine supplies sent to Japan."

There were also posts stating they would not buy any products made in Gyeongju, such as food and goods, and would launch a "Gyeongju boycott movement."

Meanwhile, as of 10 a.m. on the 24th, the petition for Mayor Ju's dismissal posted on the 22nd has garnered 37,040 supporters.