[Report] Conservative Group Displays 'Nanbang Yeolsa' Painting on 'Julie Mural' Wall

Opposition United in Condemnation... Choi Jae-hyung: "Regression of Democracy in the Name of Freedom of Expression"
Kim Geun-sik: "Pro-Moon Figures Criticizing Yoon Seok-yeol... Unreasonable 'Private Property Tyranny' in the Heart of Jongno"
Jung Cheong-rae: "Choi Jae-hyung Pretends to Support Former Prosecutor General Yoon but Isn't This Media Play?"
Nearby Merchants: "Can't Do Business Because of Protests," Frustrated

A mural reminiscent of Kim Keon-hee, wife of former President Yoon, painted on the wall of a secondhand bookstore in Jongno, Seoul. (Left) On the right, a picture presumed to be of actress Kim Bu-seon, drawn on a panel brought out by a conservative group. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon, Yoon Seul-gi, Kim Seo-hyun] "Heating enthusiast! Look here!", "Move away from the Julie mural!", "What is this all about!"

On the 29th, the so-called 'Julie mural' that appeared in the heart of Jongno, Seoul, laid bare the raw political conflicts in Korean society. Some citizens lay down in front of a truck brought by members of a conservative group, saying, "Don't touch me!" and "Everyone move away!", making it impossible to move the truck at all. Because of this, the Julie mural was almost impossible to see.

The scene at the 'Julie mural' was truly a chaotic and pandemonium-like spectacle. Citizens gathered in front of the mural raised their voices, saying, "Isn't there a problem with Yoon Seok-yeol's Julie?", "Move away! Hey you!", and "You’re even stopping business, what is this really!"

Meanwhile, as a sort of counteraction, a painting presumed to depict actress Kim Bu-seon, who claims to have had an affair with Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential candidate from the ruling party, also appeared among the conservative groups.

Some citizens who saw this painting shouted, "Put up more paintings!", "Who is that? Isn't that Kim Bu-seon?" The painting presumed to be Kim Bu-seon obscured the Julie mural, making it difficult to see properly.

As a kind of 'counterattack' against the Julie mural, conservative groups brought out a painting presumed to be of actress Kim Bu-seon. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Citizens observing the politically charged Julie mural expressed feelings of frustration. Kim, a man in his 30s who was watching the scene, said,

"What is that? I thought it was performance art," and criticized, "Judgment on the Julie mural should be up to the citizens, but I don't see any meaning in this."

A man in his 50s nearby said, "The mural itself is private property, so I think there is no problem. I came from Incheon. It took an hour and a half, and I arrived four hours ago," expressing frustration, "What problem is there with that?"

There was also an opinion that since former Prosecutor General Yoon is running for president, moral scrutiny is necessary. A man in his 60s said, "Since Yoon Seok-yeol is running for president, thorough verification is needed," but emphasized that the nude painting of former President Park Geun-hye is 'misogynistic.' He said, "The Park Geun-hye nude painting went too far," and stressed, "I think that is misogyny."

As conflicts among citizens intensified, progressive group activists also gathered, making the scene even more crowded. Passersby who saw this took out their smartphones to film the scene, showing interest, and more people gathered in front of the Julie mural.

Citizens gathered around the Julie mural. The area is showing signs of congestion due to conflicts over the mural artwork. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, political circles are engaged in heated disputes over the Julie mural. Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party and former Auditor General, pointed out on his Facebook post regarding the mural, "The dirty violence must stop immediately." He added, "We must not tolerate actions that regress democracy under the name of freedom of expression." Kim Geun-sik, former head of the Vision and Strategy Office of the People Power Party, criticized, "Pro-Moon Jae-in faction members who criticize Yoon Seok-yeol are committing unreasonable 'private property tyranny' in the heart of Jongno."

Jeong Cheong-rae, a Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized former Auditor General Choi, who condemned the mural presumed to depict Yoon's wife Kim Geon-hee, saying, "He pretends to support Yoon Seok-yeol, but isn't his media play the real intention?" On the 29th, Jeong posted on his Facebook, "At times like this, staying silent is the true way to comfort Yoon Seok-yeol," criticizing Choi.

Earlier, on the 28th, a mural that resembled Kim and defamed her appeared on the side wall of a used bookstore building in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, sparking controversy. The mural included the phrase 'Julie’s Men.' The entire mural measures 2.5 meters in height and 15 meters in length. The painting includes the phrase 'Julie’s Men' along with '2000 Dr. A, 2005 Chairman Jo, 2006 Prosecutor P, 2006 Prosecutor Y, 2007 BM CEO, 2008 Announcer Kim, 2009 Prosecutor Yoon.' 'Julie' is a nickname for Kim appearing in the so-called 'Yoon Seok-yeol X-file.' Some speculate that this was a stage name Kim used when working at a nightlife establishment in Gangnam.