"Always Blaming the Country... Tired of It" Harsh Criticism Directed at Families of Shot Public Official and Vaccine Death Victims

Lee Rae-jin, the brother of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who went missing and was shot dead by North Korean soldiers in the northern West Sea near Soyeonpyeongdo. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Baseless malicious comments (malicious comments) continue against the bereaved families of our public officials who died from North Korean gunfire and the families of teenagers who died after receiving flu vaccines, causing controversy.

Lee Rae-jin, the older brother of public official A from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries who died from North Korean gunfire in the West Sea last month, said in an interview with multiple media outlets, "There are people saying things that cannot be put into words, so I cannot hide my upset feelings," and expressed, "I hope there will be no character assassination or defamation against the family and the victims."

Among some pro-Moon Jae-in netizens, comments criticizing the bereaved families have been posted along with remarks implying "What fault does the president have?" Some netizens also mentioned the theory that A had defected to the North and made harsh criticisms.

Also, on the morning of the 14th, in the Facebook group 'Democratic Party 1 Million Members Meeting,' a netizen posted a message saying, "You dirty communists, family suspected of defection... Has any president in the history of the Republic of Korea ever sent a letter to an ordinary citizen? You should be grateful that the busy president sent condolences and even a letter to the family during a meeting."

In media reports related to A, some netizens continued with harsh criticisms such as "What honor does a defector have?", "A citizen who voluntarily defected due to gambling debts is not our citizen," "Gambler's family, stop whining," "Don't shift responsibility to the government," and "Is it the state's fault that he died trying to escape to North Korea?"

In response to this situation, Lee Rae-jin, A's older brother, wrote a memorial letter to President Moon Jae-in, saying, "I understand why celebrities commit suicide because of comments," and lamented, "I cannot bear it anymore."

Malicious comments are also continuing against the bereaved families of high school student B, who died two days after receiving a flu vaccine. The bereaved family is protesting the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's announcement that B's cause of death is not directly related to the vaccine and is demanding a thorough investigation.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

On the 27th, a petition titled "Please clear my younger brother's injustice" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner stated, "My younger brother received the vaccine on the 14th and was found dead at home on the morning of the 16th," and raised doubts, saying, "The National Forensic Service says it cannot be related to the flu, but I cannot believe it. They are trying to close the case as suicide or homicide." He appealed, "Please clear the injustice of my brother's death."

In response, some netizens criticized the bereaved families, saying, "They keep posting petitions no matter what," "Do they want compensation that badly?" "The autopsy results are out, so what kind of attitude is it to not accept them?" and "I'm tired of blaming the government whenever someone dies."