Controversy Over 'Julie Mural' in the Heart of Jongno... Building Owner "Angry at Yoon's Remarks"

'Julie’s Dream! The First Lady’s Dream!'… Controversy Over the 'Julie Mural'

A mural painted on an alley in Jongno, Seoul on the 29th, aimed at criticizing former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yoon Seul-gi, intern reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] A mural defaming Kim Gunhee, wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, was painted on the exterior wall of a used bookstore in Jongno-gu, Seoul, sparking controversy. It has been reported that the mural was painted under the instruction of the building owner.

Ji Seung-ryong, a friend of building owner Mr. A and CEO of Dandelion Territory, stated on his Facebook on the 28th, "I had a conversation with Mr. A," and conveyed, "He said the reason for painting the mural was not political."

He added, "(Mr. A) said the reason for painting the mural was that he, as a citizen, was angered after hearing former Prosecutor General Yoon say he ran for office because 'constitutional values were destroyed.'"

Ji also said, "Mr. A is unwavering with boldness," and "I express my respect for the courage of such good citizens for freedom."

Earlier, on the 19th, Ji had also posted an interview with Mr. A on his Facebook. Ji asked, "There is a mural criticizing former Prosecutor General Yoon on the exterior wall of this building, and I am curious about the presence of graffiti art on a commercial facility," to which Mr. A replied, "I asked an artist to paint the mural, and it was completed a few days ago."

Mr. A further said, "It was ridiculous to say that former Prosecutor General Yoon ran for office for constitutional values," and added, "So I painted the mural to express the constitutional value of individual freedom."

There are a total of six murals painted on the exterior wall of the bookstore. One mural includes the phrase "Julie’s Men" along with "2000 Dr. Amugae, 2005 Chairman Jo, 2006 Prosecutor Amugae, 2006 Prosecutor Yang, 2007 BM CEO, 2008 Announcer Kim, 2009 Prosecutor Yoonseobang." Another mural bears the phrase "Julie’s Dream! The First Lady’s Dream!"

"Julie" is the name mentioned as Kim’s alias in the so-called "Yoon Seok-yeol X-file." The "X-file" contains allegations that Kim worked as a hostess at entertainment establishments in the past under the alias "Julie."

Regarding this, Kim refuted the claims in an interview with the online media "Newsbus" on the 30th of last month, stating, "Someone wrote a novel."