[On-site] "Let me see Julie" vs "What is this doing?" Citizens' conflict over 'Julie mural'

Controversy Over 'Julie Mural' Related to Yoon Seok-yeol Defamation
Polarized Public Opinion Intensifies Among Politicians and Citizens
"Stop Dirty Violence Immediately," Opposition Parties Strongly Condemn
Bookstore That Painted Mural Says "No Political Intent"

A mural that appears to defame the wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon, painted in an alley in Jongno, Seoul, on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Seulgi, intern reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han and Seulgi Yoon] "I don't understand why they are protesting here.", "Because there is freedom of expression."

The so-called 'Julie Mural' that appeared in the heart of Jongno, Seoul, has sparked conflicts not only in the political sphere but also among citizens. The mural seems to depict Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of former Prosecutor General and opposition presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, in a way that appears to defame her.

On the 29th, the press visited the side wall of a used bookstore building in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where a mural was painted with the phrase "Julie's Men," a portrait of a woman resembling Kim, and the words "Julie's Dream! The First Lady's Dream!"

Citizens viewing the mural expressed mixed opinions. While some mentioned freedom of expression and saw no problem with the mural, conservative YouTubers blocked the mural from outside view by covering it with vehicles.

Mural defaming former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol (left) and a conservative YouTuber covering the mural with a truck (right) Photo by Yoon Seul-gi, Intern Reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

The mural consists of six paintings along the first-floor exterior wall of the bookstore building. The entire mural measures 2.5 meters in height and 15 meters in length. The paintings include the phrase "Julie's Men" along with the names and titles: "2000 Dr. A, 2005 Chairman Jo, 2006 Prosecutor P, 2006 Prosecutor Yang, 2007 BM CEO, 2008 Announcer Kim, 2009 Prosecutor Yoon."

"Julie" is a nickname for Kim that appears in the so-called "Yoon Seok-yeol X-file." Some allege that this was a stage name Kim used while working at entertainment establishments in Gangnam.

Citizens expressed various opinions such as "Isn't there freedom of expression?" and "Why was such a mural painted here?" A pharmacist operating nearby said, "Sales have been dropping lately, and the protests here are making things even harder." Another merchant said, "I found out about the mural from the news. I am too exhausted from COVID-19 to care much."

Meanwhile, a self-employed man in his 50s who said he witnessed the mural being painted stated, "Freedom of expression must be protected," adding, "Who doesn't know about the controversy surrounding Yoon Seok-yeol and Julie? I think it's just a natural phenomenon."

A conservative group is holding a rally while covering a mural related to former Prosecutor General Yoon. Photo by Yoon Seul-gi, intern reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

While people, including nearby merchants, gathered to look at the mural, a man who appeared to be a conservative YouTuber protested in front of the mural driving a truck. He claimed that the son of former Mayor Park was involved in military service corruption and demanded the truth be revealed. However, neither this alley nor the bookstore has any connection to former Mayor Park, so it seems the protest is actually aimed at covering the mural defaming former Prosecutor General Yoon.

Amid the controversy over the Julie mural, the bookstore located in the building where the mural was painted emphasized that there is no political intent. According to a bookstore employee, the two-story bookstore opened at the end of April this year, and the mural was painted about two weeks ago.

The bookstore employee stressed that the mural was painted to brighten the dark area and that they are unaware of the bookstore owner's political leanings. They added, "The mural was painted two weeks ago," and "It seems to have become an issue after articles about Julie surfaced."

Meanwhile, strong criticism has come from the opposition regarding the mural defaming former Prosecutor General Yoon. Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman and People Power Party presidential candidate Choi Jae-hyung wrote on his Facebook regarding the mural, "The filthy violence must stop immediately." He also argued, "We must not tolerate actions that regress democracy under the name of freedom of expression." Former People Power Party Vision and Strategy Office head Kim Geun-sik criticized, "Pro-Pro Moon Jae-in figures who criticize Yoon Seok-yeol are committing unreasonable 'private property tyranny' in the heart of Jongno."