[Summary] Jun Nak-yeong: "Being called a Tochak Waegu is outrageous... I don't know if it's wrong"

Joo Nak-yeong, Mayor of Gyeongju, Responds to Criticism Over Japan COVID-19 Protective Equipment
On the 17th, Gyeongju Supported Sister City Nara and Partner City Kyoto with Protective Suits
"Why Help Japan?" Flood of Criticism on Gyeongju City Hall Free Bulletin Board
Petition for Mayor Joo's Dismissal Submitted to Cheongwadae...80,000 Signatures by Morning of 26th

Joo Nak-young, Mayor of Gyeongju City [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Amid a petition to the Blue House calling for the dismissal of Joo Nak-young, mayor of Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, over his support of quarantine supplies to Japan, which is struggling to respond to the novel coronavirus infection, Mayor Joo stated, "I don't understand what is so wrong about supporting quarantine supplies to overseas sister cities." As of 8:30 a.m. on the 26th, the petition for Mayor Joo's dismissal had garnered 82,137 signatures.

In a post on his Facebook page the day before (the 25th), Mayor Joo expressed, "Once the (novel coronavirus infection) crisis ends, shouldn't we be able to freely travel, engage in economic activities, and tourism with each other?"

He added, "When I served as the Director of the Autonomous Administration Bureau of Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2005, I was the one who boldly declared and led the severance of exchanges with Shimane Prefecture, Japan, which claims sovereignty over Dokdo," and rebutted, "It is truly baffling to be called a native Japanese collaborator. I am simply a humble humanitarian hoping for peace and coexistence among the three East Asian countries: Korea, China, and Japan."

He further requested, "It is fine to criticize and attack me for various reasons, but please do not insult the entire Gyeongju City and its citizens."

Regarding the background of the support for quarantine supplies, Mayor Joo explained, "Our Gyeongju is a region with a nuclear power plant, so we have stocked a large number of extra protective suits. These protective suits are nearing their three-year expiration date and need to be replaced, so we have sent 26,000 sets to several neighboring local governments, including Daegu and Gyeongsan." He added, "Therefore, I instructed that if it does not incur additional budget, it would be good to send some to overseas sister and friendly local governments that are facing difficulties."

He continued, "I have never sent masks, which are export-restricted items to Japan, nor have I wasted taxpayers' money. Protective suits are not legally mandated stockpiles," and lamented, "There are claims that we ignored support for Daegu, but as citizens of Gyeongju who supported 5,000 sets of protective suits and accommodated two large-scale living treatment centers, it is heartbreaking."

He concluded, "In that spirit, the plan to support quarantine supplies to other friendly and sister cities in Japan will be canceled," and emphasized, "In the future, I will be more cautious in every decision, considering public sentiment." Currently, this post has been deleted.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board

Although Mayor Joo has personally addressed the controversy, criticism surrounding Gyeongju City remains strong. The petition for Mayor Joo's dismissal, which was posted on the 22nd, had 80,000 supporters as of the morning of the 26th.

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 petition for the dismissal of Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young."

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

A petition requesting that goods purchased with taxes not be exported to other countries had 17,706 supporters as of the morning of the 26th.

The petitioner noted, "While many countries are suffering from infectious diseases and humanitarian aid can be provided to other countries, Japan is neither a government-designated aid recipient country nor a country in such dire need that we must take the initiative to help first," and criticized, "This is not only an issue for Gyeongju citizens but also a potentially fatal threat to the protection of all citizens' lives and the safety of medical personnel."

Photo by Gyeongju City Hall Free Bulletin Board Capture

Posts condemning Mayor Joo continue to be posted on the Gyeongju City Hall free bulletin board. One citizen questioned, "Why should Gyeongju citizens suffer?"

On the 17th, Gyeongju City supported its sister city Nara City and exchange city Kyoto City in Japan with 1,200 sets of protective suits and 1,000 protective goggles each via air transport.

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

According to Gyeongju City, Nara City sent 12.9 million yen (approximately 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 (approximately 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.

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

However, this decision by Gyeongju City has been criticized for ignoring the current Korea-Japan relations. South Korea postponed the termination of the Korea-Japan military information protection agreement (GSOMIA) to urge Japan to lift export restrictions. Some citizens are conducting movements such as 'NONO Japan,' a boycott of Japanese products, against Japan.

As the controversy grew, Mayor Joo posted on his Facebook on the 22nd, stating, "Helping in difficult times is what true friends and neighbors do," and emphasized, "Who extends a hand first does not matter. Now is the time for Korea and Japan to cooperate in responding to COVID-19."

He added, "I humbly accept criticism that I did such a thing at a time when anti-Japanese sentiment is rampant," but explained, "When Gyeongju suffered greatly from the 2016 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 continued, "Currently, Japan is in a much more difficult quarantine situation than us," and added, "The economic powerhouse Japan is unable to conduct timely testing due to a lack of vinyl protective suits and plastic goggles. At times like this, providing help from a magnanimous cultural nation is our generosity and may be the true way to overcome Japan."

Mayor Joo emphasized, "The Korea-China-Japan relationship 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."

Meanwhile, as the fallout grew, on the 25th, Gyeongju City completely canceled plans to provide additional COVID-19 quarantine supplies to Japan.