Mayor Park Won-soon's Condolence Controversy... Women Say "Why Oppose Condolences?" in Anger
'Incheon International Airport Corporation' Regular Employment Controversy Sparks 20s and 30s Anger Over '6·17 Real Estate Measures'
"Moon Government Doesn't Understand Youth," Self-Deprecating Criticism
Moon Jae-in Approval Rating Falls to 47%... Negative Evaluations of Real Estate Policy Increase
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The Blue House petition opposing holding the funeral of the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in the form of a Seoul Metropolitan City funeral has surpassed 500,000 signatures. As of 12:30 PM on the 12th, the petition has received 511,456 endorsements.
In particular, among women in their 20s, there is strong opposition, arguing that since the person in question is accused of sexual crimes, it is unacceptable to hold a five-day funeral using public funds.
Adding to this, anger among people in their 30s over the June 17 real estate measures and the frustration of job seekers regarding the regularization of Incheon International Airport Corporation (In-guk-gong) employees have combined to increase the anger of people in their 20s and 30s toward the government and ruling party. Some even express cynical views that the Moon Jae-in administration is indifferent to the youth.
A woman in her late 20s, identified as A, who works at a company in Seoul, said, "What matters is why Mayor Park Won-soon made such a choice," adding, "Women are not interested in his achievements." She continued, "A sexual crime accusation was filed, and he was found dead. What woman could possibly pay respects?" She raised her voice, saying, "Nevertheless, they say they will hold a five-day funeral as a Seoul Metropolitan City funeral. It seems they have no intention of listening to women's voices at all."
Another woman in her 20s, B, said, "The petition opposing the five-day funeral organized by the city has surpassed 500,000 signatures and is likely to exceed 600,000 soon. I wonder what the government thinks about this petition result," expressing frustration, "This is not opposition for political purposes. Isn't he the person accused of sexual crimes?"
C, a woman in her early 30s who opposed paying respects to Mayor Park, said, "I hope no one is forced to pay respects. I also hope the atmosphere of mourning is not forced," criticizing, "Some say that if you don't mourn, you are a heartless 'monster,' but how can anyone mourn someone who was found dead suddenly after a sexual assault accusation?"
As controversy over paying respects to Mayor Park and the Seoul Metropolitan City funeral format erupts among the youth, dissatisfaction with the recent In-guk-gong incident and the June 17 real estate measures has intertwined, leading to criticism among people in their 20s and 30s that the Moon Jae-in administration does not understand young people's thoughts.
A job seeker in their 20s who expressed critical views of the government during the In-guk-gong incident said, "We were not opposing the regularization of non-regular workers but were questioning procedural fairness and expressing anger, but the response was that young people were deceived by 'fake news.'" They emphasized, "Young people are not stupid enough to be fooled by fake news, and above all, they do not oppose the regularization of non-regular workers." They raised their voice, saying, "We pointed out the collapse of fairness and procedural violations, but it seems they still don't understand."
On the 28th of last month, a Blue House official stated regarding the controversy over In-guk-gong regularization, "There is an aspect triggered by fake news." The official told reporters, "Initially, someone who claimed to be a security screening officer posted on social media that they were converted to a regular position without any public recruitment process and were receiving an annual salary of about 50 million won, and some media reported this as a 'lottery hiring' without verification."
Members of the group advocating for victims of the June 17 measures shouting slogans [Image source=Yonhap News]
Criticism of the real estate measures continued. As the regulated areas expanded to the entire metropolitan area, many low-income citizens complained that their housing loans suddenly decreased, causing hardship. Some pointed out, "Are people in their 30s without money speculators?"
On an online cafe opened on the 24th of last month, a case was posted about being blocked from apartment balance loans due to the retroactive application of the government's June 17 measures.
Most voices said that they gathered all their funds and loans to pay the apartment price to try to own a home, but suddenly, due to government measures, loans were reduced, leaving them no way to raise money and forcing them to give up the apartment.
A newlywed cafe user said, "We decided to sell our current home and take out a loan for the shortfall," lamenting, "We received an apartment allocation, but the June 17 measures blocked the loan, putting us in a difficult situation."
They added, "We are at a loss about how to handle the intermediate and final payments and what to do with the contract deposit already received and paid," expressing despair. They questioned, "Are we really speculators when we are wiping away tears alone, worried about each other?"
Amid ongoing critical public opinion, the government announced the July 10 real estate measures. The main points include strengthening taxation on multi-homeowners and supplementing support for actual buyers. It also aims to expand the scope and supply ratio of the special supply for first-time homebuyers and increase tax burdens such as comprehensive real estate tax, capital gains tax, and acquisition tax on multi-homeowners.
Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering reporters' questions after paying his respects at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Mayor Park Won-soon's wake was held on the morning of the 10th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
◆ Political circles engage in heated debate over paying respects to Mayor Park Won-soon
Meanwhile, as criticism of the Moon Jae-in administration grows among the youth, political circles are also engaged in heated debate over paying respects to Mayor Park.
The Democratic Party and the ruling coalition emphasize that it is a time to mourn and pay tribute to the deceased, drawing a line at the sexual harassment allegations. On the other hand, the opposition and some civic groups express concerns about secondary harm to the victim and call for a thorough investigation.
On the 10th, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan became furious when asked by reporters about the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park, who was found dead. At the mayor's funeral hall, when a reporter asked, "There are allegations against the deceased. Will the party respond?" he snapped, "That is not respectful. Is that what you call respect here? There are things that should be kept private." He muttered to himself, "Damn bastard," and glared in the direction of the question.
Park Hong-geun, a close aide and chief mourner for Mayor Park, appealed to stop raising allegations surrounding the mayor. He said, "Malicious and unverified posts are spreading on social media, severely damaging the deceased's honor," and requested, "Please stop irresponsible actions."
Chief spokesperson Kang Hoon-sik issued a statement saying, "Indiscriminate personal attacks and the spread of unverified facts are continuing and must stop immediately," adding, "No facts have been confirmed yet. We must avoid creating another controversy."
Citizens are lining up to pay their respects at the memorial altar for the late Mayor Park Won-soon set up in front of Seoul City Hall. Photo by Yonhap News.
On the other hand, the opposition is watching public opinion closely as the petition opposing the Seoul Metropolitan City funeral format for Mayor Park has surpassed 500,000 signatures.
Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, and Joo Ho-young, floor leader, canceled their planned visits to the funeral hall. Within the party, criticism arises that holding a civic funeral grants a kind of pardon when there is a person claiming sexual harassment.
Assemblyman Han Ki-ho posted on his Facebook titled "Opposing the Seoul Civic Funeral," stating, "Are we going to ignore that the secretary filed a complaint risking her honor and life? The deceased must have known better how shameful and unethical this is to Seoul citizens, which is why he chose suicide."
Assemblyman Kwon Young-se said, "The news of Mayor Park's death is regrettable and unfortunate, but if the allegations by the person who accused him of sexual harassment are true, that person must be suffering tremendous additional pain because of this incident." He emphasized, "We must avoid ignoring or even worsening that person's pain during the mourning process."
Assemblyman Kim Ki-hyun also said, "This was not an accident during official duties, and it is not desirable for such extreme choices to become a kind of pardon."
Ban Ki-moon, chairman of the National Climate and Environment Council, after paying respects, told reporters, "It is regrettable that such allegations keep arising regarding several public officials," adding, "We do not know the exact reason for the mayor's death, but if there is such a reason, it should be accepted with a very solemn atmosphere."
Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, posted on Facebook, "I cannot help but feel very sorry for the deceased's death, but I have decided not to pay respects separately."
Ahn pointed out, "Deep reflection and introspection on the awareness and conduct of high-ranking public officials are more necessary than ever," and criticized, "I cannot agree to hold a five-day funeral as a Seoul Metropolitan City funeral when it is not a death in the line of duty."
Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party assembly member, wrote on her Facebook, "You, who had to endure harassment and could not resist the hierarchy of a respected person, you who could only decide to file a complaint after receiving psychiatric counseling necessary for treatment and recovery, you who must press your chest to barely breathe amid the already started 'secondary harm' and 'personal information digging,' I want you to know you are not alone."
Sim Sang-jung, leader of the same party, mentioned after paying respects, "The most painful person could be the victim," and assembly member Jang Hye-young criticized the Seoul Metropolitan City funeral decision, saying, "I cannot mourn as if nothing happened."
◆ Moon Jae-in approval rating falls to 47%... Real estate dissatisfaction surges
Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in's approval rating (job performance positive rate) has been declining for nine consecutive weeks. The positive rate (47%) and negative rate (44%) have approached within the margin of error. Many respondents who gave negative evaluations cited real estate issues as the reason.
A Gallup Korea survey conducted from the 7th to 9th among 1,001 people aged 18 and over nationwide asked whether President Moon Jae-in is performing his duties well. 47% responded positively, 44% negatively, and 9% withheld opinion.
The positive rate dropped by 3 percentage points from the previous week, and the negative rate rose by 5 percentage points, narrowing the gap within the margin of error. Gallup Korea analyzed, "For the first time in nearly four months, the positive and negative rates both returned to the 40% range and became similar."
By age group, the positive and negative rates were 46% and 40% for ages 18-29 (20s), 52% and 40% for 30s, 62% and 34% for 40s, 42% and 53% for 50s, and 40% and 50% for 60 and above. The increase in positive and decrease in negative ratings were notable in the metropolitan area and among people in their 50s. By political inclination, changes were more significant among centrists and progressives than conservatives.
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