"'I am for sale' Danggeun Market listing party appeals for help, calls it a friend's prank"

On the 18th, a Carrot Market listing appeared in Hadae-dong, Jinju-si, Gyeongnam, stating that the person was for sale. Photo by Carrot Market

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] On the 19th, a post titled "I am putting myself up for sale because it is hard to make a living" was uploaded on the secondhand goods trading application 'Danggeun Market,' sparking controversy. The person involved in the post has come forward claiming "It was a friend's prank" and expressed mental distress.

According to a report by Chosun Biz on the same day, Mr. A, who resides in Jinju City, Gyeongnam Province, said, "I did not post that message. The damage caused by the incorrect report is severe. Please stop publishing articles as if I were the one involved without verifying the facts."

Mr. A stated, "My friend's prank crossed the line. My friend sincerely regrets their actions and has apologized. However, this is an issue for my friend and me to resolve, and I believe it is wrong to publish articles portraying me as such a person without knowing the facts. Because of that article, I feel like I have been subjected to all kinds of harsh words from the world."

He added, "If those who sent sexual comments and messages related to me do not apologize, I will take legal action. I have taken screenshots of everything." He also claimed, "The initial report firmly stated as if I personally wrote the problematic post. Other articles did not clearly specify whether the photo was stolen or if it was the person themselves."

Previously, on the day before, a user posted a full-body photo on Danggeun Market with the message, "I am putting myself up for sale because it is hard to make a living," adding, "Advance payment 200, monthly 50, I eat well, take care of myself, sleep well, wash well, and clean well."

The post was deleted from Danggeun Market for "inappropriate service use," and the account that posted it was confirmed to have been suspended.

Meanwhile, Danggeun Market has previously faced public backlash for posts such as "newborn sale posts" and "disabled person sale posts." In response to the controversy, on the 6th of this month, Danggeun Market released 'Community Guidelines' to eradicate illegal posts, stating, "We will monitor acts such as selling life including family or friends, selling body parts or organs, acts that disregard the value of life, and requests for murder or violence."