Gangwonrae Faces Backlash for Saying 'Lowest in Quarantine' Accused of Political Statement
Some Democratic Party Supporters Continue Fierce Protests and Criticism
Won Heeryong: "Chilling Violence... Citizens Pleading Amid Exhausting Daily Life Forced to Kneel"
Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, who is running for the Seoul mayoral by-election, visited Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 20th and held a meeting with merchants including Kang Won-rae, a representative of Itaewon self-employed business owners. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Criticism is mounting that the level of condemnation against singer-turned-self-employed businessman Kang Won-rae, who criticized the government's COVID-19 quarantine measures, has gone too far, with not only harsh insults but also derogatory remarks about his physical appearance being hurled at him.
In particular, among 'Moonppa' (a derogatory term for people who blindly support President Moon Jae-in), there have been fierce protests against Kang, who expressed critical opinions about President Moon Jae-in.
As the situation worsened, Kang repeatedly bowed his head. Although he expressed the hardships of self-employed people, he only kept apologizing. This situation has sparked heated debates. Some argue, "Can't self-employed people even say they are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic?" while others criticize it as "speech with clear political intent."
Kang, who runs a store in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, met Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, on the 20th and said, "South Korea’s quarantine is the worst in the world," which led to a backlash and an apology.
Supporters of the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party of Korea immediately reacted. Through online communities, they said, "I don’t know if he knows what he’s talking about," and "K-quarantine is not the worst in the world but the best." They continued with harsh criticism such as, "Isn’t he just being politically used?" and "Isn’t he a supporter of the People’s Party?"
As quarantine measures for multi-use facilities such as cafes, gyms, and karaoke rooms have been partially eased, some owners of entertainment establishments subject to business bans, such as emotional pubs and colatecs, as well as owners of businesses with restricted operating hours due to many nighttime customers, are protesting that the measures are unfair. On the afternoon of the 19th, merchants on the streets of Itaewon, Seoul, hung banners protesting the government's policy, including the restriction on operating hours until 9 PM. [Image source=Yonhap News]
As the controversy grew, Kang posted on his Instagram on the 21st, saying, "I apologize. I am sorry for causing concern to the people of South Korea and the officials and medical staff who have worked hard on quarantine," and added, "I am not a politician nor was I in a position supporting a specific party, so it is a bit regrettable that this was interpreted politically," bowing his head.
According to supporters of the Democratic Party, South Korea’s COVID-19 quarantine is indeed world-class. According to quarantine authorities, among OECD countries, South Korea ranked third lowest in cases per 100,000 population and second lowest in deaths.
However, there is also a counterargument that Kang’s remarks were meant to express the difficulties faced by self-employed people, such as declining sales during the COVID-19 situation.
Kim, a man in his 40s working at a company, said, "Kang Won-rae may have given incorrect information when he spoke. Also, meeting Ahn Cheol-soo could appear political," but added, "Still, looking at Kang Won-rae’s words, isn’t he just saying that self-employed people are having a hard time because of COVID-19?" He criticized, "To tear him apart over that seems a bit excessive."
Voices criticizing this situation also came from the political sphere. Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong mentioned Kang’s situation in a post on his Facebook, saying, "I see chilling violence. Eventually, a citizen who was complaining about a hard daily life knelt down with aching and painful knees due to inhumane attacks," and criticized, "There is a line that must be respected even when criticizing others."
He continued, "It is a fact acknowledged by the Prime Minister and the President that there are many ambiguities in quarantine standards, such as Taekwondo and Kendo being allowed but Hapkido and gyms not," and pointed out, "To mark and attack someone who criticized these quarantine standards and expressed regret with expressions that should never be used is unacceptable."
He also repeatedly criticized President Moon Jae-in, asking, "Is this kind of violence the 'seasoning' that makes debates more interesting?"
As quarantine measures for multi-use facilities such as cafes, gyms, and karaoke rooms have been partially eased, some owners of entertainment establishments like emotional pubs and colatecs are protesting, claiming the measures are unfair. Most of the owners have been unable to pay rent for several months due to lack of income, and some have even terminated their lease contracts because they could not afford the rent. On the afternoon of the 19th, a banner expressing protest was hung on a pojangmacha building in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the other hand, there is also the view that meeting Ahn Cheol-soo, who competed with President Moon in the last presidential election and recently declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor, and criticizing so-called 'K-quarantine' can only be interpreted politically. While the voice of self-employed people is valid, Kang is criticized for not anticipating that it would be interpreted this way.
Park, a man in his 30s who said he closely followed related news, said, "Regardless of the process, the result can only be interpreted as a political statement, which is unfortunate," but added, "Kang Won-rae’s position is understandable, but to anyone, it looks like a 'political stance or criticism.' It seems like a frustrating situation."
Meanwhile, Kang repeatedly bowed and apologized in his apology statement. Kang said, "No one listened to us, so we created a place to raise our voices wherever possible," and apologized, "At yesterday’s meeting in Itaewon, as self-employed people shared their hardships together in Hongdae, Gangnam Station, Jongno, and other places, emotions ran high, and I used the expression 'quarantine policy is the worst.'” He added, "I apologize once again and hope for quarantine policies with more compensation in the future."
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