[Summary] 'Controversy Over Disparaging Independence Activist' Yoon Seo-in Says About Late Baek Gi-wan, "What a Great Figure?"

"Coca-Cola Drinking Destroys National Spirit, Says Some"
"Did They Really Devote Their Life to Unification Movement?"
Gwangbokhoe States "Will Take Legal Action According to Bereaved Families' Wishes"

Cartoonist Yoon Seo-in / Photo by Yoon Seo-in (Facebook capture)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Cartoonist Yoon Seo-in, who recently sparked controversy for allegedly disparaging independence activists and their descendants, mocked the late Baek Ki-wan, director of the Unification Issues Research Institute, who passed away on the 15th, saying, "What a great figure has passed away," causing an uproar.

On the same day, Yoon shared an article announcing the late director's death on his Facebook and said, "The person who said that drinking Coca-Cola rots the national spirit. Is it true that this person devoted his life to the unification movement?"

He continued, "The problem is that the unification he talked about was not the free unification we think of," and claimed, "It must be a regret that he died without seeing 'that unification' he wanted."

Yoon also posted a screenshot of an article about the late director's death on Facebook, mocking him by saying, "What a great figure has passed away, ugh."

After it became known that Yoon wrote such posts, some expressed anger. Netizens criticized him with comments such as "This is malicious," "The deceased was surely a much greater figure than you, Yoon Seo-in," and "How can someone mock and insult a person's death?"

On the 15th, Mr. Yoon posted a mocking message about the late Baek Gi-wan, director of the Unification Issues Research Institute, on his Facebook. / Photo by Facebook capture

This is not the first time Yoon has been embroiled in controversy for criticizing and mocking the deceased. Previously, on the 12th of last month, Yoon posted a photo comparing the houses of descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators and independence activists on Facebook, writing, "While the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators live so diligently, what on earth have the descendants of independence activists done?" which sparked controversy.

He also questioned, "If you look at the facts, weren't the so-called pro-Japanese collaborators people who lived diligently even 100 years ago, and the independence activists people who lived roughly?"

As the controversy grew, the Liberation Association announced plans to file a lawsuit demanding 8.3 billion won in damages against Yoon.

Kim Won-woong, president of the Liberation Association, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 18th of last month and explained, "If 8.3 million members of the Liberation Association demand 1 million won each in damages, it amounts to 8.3 billion won," adding, "(Yoon) would not be able to respond with sponsorship funds."

Kim Won-woong, President of the Liberation Association, visited the funeral hall of the late Baek Ki-wan, Director of the Unification Issues Research Institute, set up at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th to offer condolences. / Photo by Yonhap News

He added, "Many descendants of independence activists from all over the country have been contacting the Liberation Association about this issue," and said, "We respect the atmosphere that this cannot be left as it is, and we are reaching a consensus to take legal action."

Meanwhile, Jeong Cheol-seung, a legal advisor to the Liberation Association, emphasized on Facebook on the 15th, "We have received reports via email that Yoon Seo-in is insulting and mocking the late Baek Ki-wan today," and stated, "We will take full legal action according to the wishes of the deceased's family."