"Pathetic and Pitiful" Heo Ji-woong Criticizes Woman Eating Hamburger on KTX

A woman eating food such as a hamburger with her mask lowered inside a KTX train. Photo by Online Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Broadcaster and writer Heo Ji-woong recently criticized a passenger who violated COVID-19 quarantine rules by eating a hamburger inside a KTX train cabin, calling the behavior "ugly and disgraceful."

On the 4th, Heo Ji-woong wrote on his Instagram, "A long time ago, the phrase 'Do you know who my dad is?' was something both the speaker and the listener found embarrassing and rarely said," adding, "I felt pity."

He continued, "When older people ask 'Do you know who I am?' and their children ask 'Do you know who my dad is?', we see the worst face of our community," criticizing, "People who live off their parents' money without proving themselves and feel no shame about it are as ugly and disgraceful as someone born on third base acting like they hit a triple."

He added, "If one does not gratefully accept their innate luck and humbly discipline themselves, the brightest achievement in such a person's life will be nothing more than being born on third base."

Heo concluded by saying, "At this moment, I support all parents who are striving to pass on not money but the most brilliant and excellent things they have to their children."

Earlier, according to Korail, a woman in her 20s, identified as A, was seen eating food with her mask hanging below her chin on a KTX train from Pohang to Seoul on the 28th of last month. Currently, eating food inside KTX trains violates COVID-19 quarantine rules.

A was first warned by a train attendant while eating chocolate cake, but after the attendant passed by, she took out a hamburger from her bag and ate it again.

When a nearby passenger protested, A responded with abusive language, saying, "What does it matter if I eat here or not?", "Do you know who my dad is, you lowly-looking person? I won't let someone like you go," and "The poor are full of anger and take it out on those who have."

The passenger later reported the incident on an online community, and netizens strongly criticized A.

As the controversy spread, A apologized, saying, "I was very hungry after a series of continuous meetings and was very sensitive and sharp."

Meanwhile, on the 3rd, Korail filed charges against A for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the Railway Safety Act.