Owner of the 'Julie Mural' Building: "Will Remove All Phrases... Means There Is No Backing at All"

Building Owner Ms. Yeo: "If not Julie, should just let it go lightly... It's strange for fans to demand removal"
Ha Tae-kyung: "An embarrassing incident too shameful to mention"
Lee Nak-yeon: "Embarrassing and awkward to talk about"

Amid controversy over a mural defaming Kim Keon-hee, the wife of presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, painted on the exterior wall of a bookstore in Jongno-gu, Seoul, members of conservative groups and YouTubers are protesting in front of the mural on the morning of the 29th.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Mr. Yeo, the building owner and bookstore representative who caused controversy by displaying the 'Julie mural' on the exterior wall of a used bookstore, announced on the 29th that "all problematic phrases will be removed."

Earlier, on the side wall of a used bookstore building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a mural appeared with phrases such as 'Julie's Men' and 'Julie's Dream! The First Lady's Dream!' which defamed Kim Geon-hee, the wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. 'Julie' is the name referring to Kim in the so-called 'Yoon Seok-yeol X-file.'

In a phone call with News1 on the 29th, Mr. Yeo reportedly said, "We plan to remove all the criticized phrases such as 'Julie's Dream' tomorrow (the 30th), leaving only the picture."

The controversial mural was commissioned by Mr. Yeo to an acquaintance and installed in mid-month. The first mural, titled 'Julie's Men,' lists '2000 Dr. A, 2005 Chairman Jo, 2006 Prosecutor Pyeong, 2006 Prosecutor Yang, 2007 BM CEO, 2008 Announcer Kim, 2009 Prosecutor Yoon.'

Previously, when asked if the mural contained expressions that could be interpreted as referring to candidate Yoon Seok-yeol or former prosecutor Yang, Mr. Yeo said, "Currently, Julie has not appeared, and former prosecutor Yang and announcer Kim do not acknowledge any relationship with Julie, so can't we satirize with a mural?" He added, "If they admit to a relationship with Julie, it could be defamation, so I will dismantle the mural."

Regarding the decision to take down the Julie mural, Mr. Yeo explained, "It means there is absolutely no political intention such as conspiracy theories behind it," and "I decided this because many people around me worried, saying 'Why live so hard?'"

He continued, "If the person said they are not Julie, it should be taken lightly. Isn't it strange to send fans to demand its removal?" He emphasized again, "If Julie had been clearly acknowledged, it could have been defamation, so I wouldn't have painted it. But since it was thoroughly denied, I painted it."

Photo by Ha, captured from the lawmaker's Facebook

Meanwhile, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, posted on his social media on the 29th, saying, "This is no different from the 'interview room sexual harassment' incidents that caused social outrage," and urged, "President Moon Jae-in, who claims to be a feminist, female lawmakers of the Democratic Party, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and women's organizations should not remain silent but step forward."

He added, "An incident so shameful that it is hard to even mention has occurred. No matter how ruthless politics is, this is unacceptable. If you want to raise questions about the 'qualifications of the First Lady,' please clearly define the issue and do so officially."

On the same day (29th), former party leader Lee Nak-yeon appeared on MBN News and commented on the 'mural modeled after the wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon,' saying, "It is a bit embarrassing and uncomfortable to talk about."