[Summary] Facebook Account Suspension of Yoon Seo-in Amid Controversy Over Disparaging Independence Activists and 3.1 Movement Remarks

"More Cruel Than Japanese Police: Claim Against Samil Movement Organizers"
Controversy Over Derogatory Remarks Toward Independence Activists' Descendants Saying "Maybe They Lived Carelessly"

Cartoonist Yoon Seo-in announced on the 2nd that his Facebook account had been restricted. / Photo by Instagram Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] It has been confirmed that the Facebook account of cartoonist Yoon Seo-in, who caused controversy with a series of outrageous remarks such as disparaging descendants of independence activists and labeling the March 1st Movement as a "violent movement," has been suspended.

On the 2nd, Yoon posted on his Instagram, stating "My Facebook has been suspended," along with a screenshot of his Facebook account. The photo shows a restriction notice on Yoon's Facebook account, indicating that he cannot post or comment for 30 days.

Supporters of Yoon who saw the photo expressed dissatisfaction in the comments, saying things like "Isn't this Moonjuism (a shorthand for President Moon Jae-in's style of democracy)?", "Let's switch to Instagram this time," and "Facebook's biased decision."

According to multiple media reports, the exact reason for Yoon's Facebook account suspension has not been clearly disclosed.

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

According to Facebook's official service terms, Facebook may restrict access to or permanently disable a member's account only if the member repeatedly and clearly violates the "Community Standards."

A representative case is last month's suspension of former U.S. President Donald Trump's account for "using it to incite violent insurrection against an elected government." However, unlike the Trump case which had public interest reasons, Facebook does not disclose the reasons for suspending ordinary users' accounts one by one.

Meanwhile, on the 1st, Yoon posted a controversial post on Facebook that could be interpreted as criticizing the March 1st Movement. At that time, he claimed, "For the Japanese, it was a nonviolent movement. Among ourselves, it was a violent movement," and added, "The organizers of the March 1st Movement were more cruel and brutal than Japanese police officers. I probably would have participated enthusiastically too."

Yoon sarcastically criticized by quoting excerpts from proclamations and declarations during the March 1st Movement, publicly available in the database of the National Institute of Korean History, such as "If you do not shout 'Manse,' you will face great punishment," and "If the doors are opened, the teachers will be assassinated," calling it "the characteristic of our nation's voluntary nonviolent resistance movement recognized worldwide."

When the Liberation Association announced a lawsuit demanding a large amount of alimony from Mr. Yoon, he revealed the details of the donations he received from his supporters and claimed, "There will be no reason for me to pay any money." / Photo by Yoon Seo-in Facebook capture

This is not the first time Yoon's posts have sparked controversy. Previously, on January 15th, Yoon stirred controversy by posting disparaging remarks about descendants of independence activists.

At that time, Yoon posted on Facebook a photo comparing the houses of pro-Japanese collaborators' descendants and independence activists' descendants, saying, "While the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators live so diligently, what on earth have the descendants of independence activists done?" He added, "If you look closely, even 100 years ago, so-called pro-Japanese collaborators were hardworking people, and independence activists were people who lived roughly."

After the Liberation Association announced a lawsuit demanding 8.3 billion won in damages against Yoon, he posted again on Facebook, revealing the details of donations he received from his supporters and claiming, "No matter how crazy the country is, there is no way I should have to pay money because of such an absurd lawsuit."