[Summary] Yoon Seo-in Sparks Controversy with Remarks: "Pro-Japanese Collaborators Lived Diligently, Independence Activists Lived Carelessly"

Cartoonist Yoon Seo-in. Photo by Yoon Seo-in Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Cartoonist Yoon Seo-in is causing controversy with his outrageous remark that "pro-Japanese collaborators worked hard while independence activists lived carelessly." In the past, Yoon also sparked controversy with inappropriate remarks and actions, such as mocking the Sewol ferry incident and drawing cartoons defaming the late Baek Nam-gi's daughter.

On the 12th, Yoon posted a photo on his Facebook comparing the houses of descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators and independence activists, along with the caption, "While the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators worked so hard like that, what on earth were the descendants of independence activists doing?"

He continued, "If you look at the facts, weren't the so-called pro-Japanese collaborators people who worked hard even 100 years ago, and the independence activists people who lived carelessly?"

This post spread across online communities and social networking services (SNS), and netizens poured criticism on Yoon. On the 14th, a petition titled "Please punish the cartoonist who insulted independence activists" was posted on the Blue House's national petition board.

The petitioner urged, "I hope you firmly punish this outrageous act that publicly insulted the independence activists who sacrificed everything for the country to the extent that they could not even leave a proper inheritance to their descendants."

Yoon has since deleted the post, but the public criticism has not subsided.

A petition titled "Please punish the cartoonist who insulted the independence activist" posted on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 14th. Photo by Blue House website capture

In January 2010, Yoon caused controversy by drawing a cartoon titled 'Joyride,' which he was serializing, depicting nine women called 'Sooknyeo Sidae' (Ladies' Era) looking at the past in strange postures and pounding rice cakes to welcome the New Year.

The 'Sooknyeo Sidae' in the cartoon reminded people of the idol group 'Girls' Generation,' leading to criticism of sexual harassment. As the controversy spread, Yoon deleted the cartoon and explained, "My cartoon was not intended to sexually ridicule Girls' Generation."

In June 2014, ahead of local elections, Yoon posted a message promising to buy chicken if then-Saenuri Party lawmaker Chung Mong-joon, who was running for Seoul mayor, won, which led to a report for violating election laws.

In May of that year, he posted on his blog, "On Monday, June 9, if Mong-joon hyung becomes mayor, I will buy chicken at Hongdae ㅇㅇ Chicken."

When some pointed out that "promising to provide money or goods conditional on a specific candidate's election is a violation of election law," Yoon deleted the post.

Former MBC reporter Kim Se-ui (right) and cartoonist Yoon Seo-in (left), who were prosecuted for posting writings or drawings defaming the late Baek Nam-gi's daughter, are attending the appellate court sentencing held last September at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Yoon was also prosecuted for defaming the bereaved family of the late Baek Nam-gi, who died from police water cannon. In October 2016, Yoon posted writings and drawings on conservative websites and SNS suggesting that Baek's daughter went on a trip to Bali while her critically ill father was hospitalized.

The cartoon drawn by Yoon included the line, "Father is on an ICU bed, I am on a resort sunbed," depicting Baek's daughter enjoying a vacation in a swimsuit.

However, Baek's daughter was reportedly attending a family event at her in-laws' house in Bali, not vacationing. Ultimately, Yoon was prosecuted for defamation and was fined 7 million won in December last year.

In 2017, Yoon also sparked controversy by making a pun referring to the school attended by students who died in the Sewol ferry disaster.

In May of that year, Yoon posted a photo of grilling meat on his Facebook with the caption, "Currently, the most delicious pork restaurant in Seoul, so I declare it."

When a netizen corrected him, saying, "Writer, it's not 'danwon' but 'danyeon'...," Yoon replied again, "I mean Danwon High School." Netizens criticized him for mocking the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster.

In addition, in February 2018, Yoon drew a cartoon ridiculing the victim of child rapist Jo Doo-soon, and during the 2016 impeachment crisis of former President Park Geun-hye, he performed acts mocking citizens participating in candlelight protests, causing further controversy due to inappropriate behavior.