President Moon Jae-in Supports Bong Joon-ho This Time... "Congratulations on Time 100 Most Influential"

SNS Message "Jeong Eun-gyeong and Bong Joon-ho, May They Bring Comfort and Courage to Our People"
Cheong, Previously Announced Jeong Eun-gyeong's Selection but Omitted "Only Korean" Bong Joon-ho

President Moon Jae-in on the 23rd expressed hope that the selection of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Director Jeong Eun-kyeong and film director Bong Joon-ho as part of TIME magazine's '100 Most Influential People in the World 2020' would bring comfort and courage to the people enduring difficult times.

Through a message on social media that day, President Moon stated, "TIME's view is not different from that of our people," conveying this sentiment.

Earlier that morning, the Blue House announced Director Jeong's selection, mentioning her as the "only Korean," but omitted Director Bong. However, in this SNS message, both Director Jeong and Director Bong were mentioned side by side.

President Moon wrote, "Director Jeong Eun-kyeong's diligence has inspired countless 'Jeong Eun-kyeongs' fighting COVID-19 around the world." He added, "Director Bong Joon-ho's imagination and sensitivity shown in 'Parasite' have become a great source of pride for our people."

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and film director Bong Joon-ho were named to the "100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020" list selected by the American news magazine Time.

Time informed the Blue House that Commissioner Jung was selected as one of the 100 influential leaders, stating, "Commissioner Jung was chosen for her outstanding achievements and performance in disease prevention." The article in Time also included an introduction written by President Moon Jae-in.

In the section of 100 influential artists, director Bong Joon-ho, who won an Academy Award for the film Parasite, was selected. The introduction for Director Bong was written by actress Tilda Swinton, who appeared in the film Snowpiercer.

Meanwhile, the Blue House in the morning announced Director Jeong's selection to TIME's 100, stating, "This selection confirms that K-quarantine has been recognized as a model that the world should emulate."

While announcing this news, the Blue House informed that Director Jeong was the only Korean selected. However, after TIME's article was released, it was revealed that film director Bong Joon-ho of 'Parasite' was also included. Criticism arose that the Blue House was too focused on promoting K-quarantine and made an imprudent announcement.

In response, the Blue House explained, "Two days ago, after confirming with TIME, we received a final answer that Director Jeong was the only Korean selected, and since TIME did not disclose the list of 100 people, the Blue House had no way to verify."

They added, "In the 'Leaders' category, Director Jeong is indeed the only Korean, while Director Bong is included in the 'Artists' category. The Blue House also learned this by reading TIME's article," and stated, "Director Bong's selection is very joyful news, and we extend our congratulations."