Poet Ryu Geun on Controversy Over Derogatory Remarks About Voters in Their 20s: "I Criticized Blockheads"

Comments on poet Ryu Geun's Facebook posts and Ryu's replies. Photo by Ryu Geun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Poet Ryu Geun (56), known for his pro-government stance, clarified the controversy over his alleged disparagement of young voters in their 20s by stating, "I was not belittling voters, but criticizing blockheads."

On the 28th, Ryu wrote on his Facebook, "Conservative media outlets have started loudly boasting that 60% of young people in their 20s support Oh Se-hoon. But it's really strange. If a young person in their 20s is sitting holding a phone at that time, pressing something to support Oh Se-hoon, how lonely must that person be? How lonely must they be to even pay attention and respond to automated survey phone calls?"

He continued in the post, "How could anyone with normal reasoning support scoundrels like Oh Se-hoon or Park Hyung-joon? People who fall for the frame that blames the Moon Jae-in administration for the long-standing corruption of LH Corporation employees are, in any case, not helpful to the development of the community," he criticized.

A post by poet Ryu Geun on his Facebook on the 28th. Photo by poet Ryu Geun

Ryu also stated, "This by-election is a fight against corrupt conservative media. If we keep falling for the schemes that try to demoralize us by saying we've already lost, it will ultimately harm the future of our descendants," and "We must not be fooled by the nonsense of reporters who keep talking as if the tide has already turned while hiding their true voices."

On the 30th, in response to a comment on this post saying, "As always, it's just a piece of daily poetry," Ryu replied, "Who said I was belittling voters? I am simply criticizing blockheads."

Meanwhile, Ryu had previously declared support for President Moon Jae-in along with fellow writers during the last presidential election and had posted several Facebook posts defending former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk during his tenure.