Criticism Pours In After Posting 'Dog Photo' a Day Before 'Medical Strike'
A photo President Moon Jae-in shared on Facebook on the 1st. President Moon is spending time with Pungsan dogs in the yard in front of the presidential residence. / Photo by President Moon Jae-in on Facebook
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] When criticism poured in over President Moon Jae-in posting a photo of a dog on Facebook on the 1st, a day before the Korea Health and Medical Workers' Union's general strike deadline, the Blue House expressed an understanding-seeking stance.
According to reports, a key Blue House official responded on the 2nd to the question, "There are criticisms that the photo was inappropriate at a time when negotiations between the government and the Health and Medical Workers' Union were progressing urgently," saying, "Considering that state affairs are always urgent, there will always be points of criticism no matter when it is. In that regard, we ask for broad understanding."
Regarding the question of whether the dogs in the photo were Pungsan dogs gifted by North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and if there was a political message involved, the official said, "It is understood that there was no particular political message," adding, "We intended to share the well-grown appearance of the Pungsan dogs with the public."
Earlier, President Moon revealed on Facebook the previous night the appearance and names of seven puppies born to 'Gomi,' a Pungsan dog gifted by Chairman Kim in 2018. The puppies were born from Gomi and Maru, President Moon's companion dog (Pungsan dog). President Moon stated, "All seven Pungsan puppies have grown strong," and added, "If there are local governments interested, we will give two puppies each."
The Busan National University Hospital branch of the National Health and Medical Workers' Union, which has entered a warning strike demanding measures to address the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, is holding a picket protest in front of Busan National University Hospital on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News
However, the medical community criticized the timing of releasing such photos while the Health and Medical Workers' Union and the Ministry of Health and Welfare were engaged in last-minute negotiations ahead of the general strike scheduled for the next day (the 2nd).
Plastic surgeon Lee Joo-hyuk wrote on his Facebook that day, "I don't think the president is neglecting his duties and just taking care of dogs or farming in the garden," but criticized, "In the current situation where COVID-19 prevention is at a critical point, it is hard to understand why such photos are posted."
He questioned, "This is not the time for the president to post such photos," and asked, "Who is paying attention to the daily lives of nurses working in negative pressure rooms, and how they have been treated in a situation where COVID-19 patient beds cannot operate without them?"
He continued, "Until it reached this state, the government's measures were nowhere to be seen on the front lines. They have endured as much as they could," and raised his voice, saying, "Even if the Health and Medical Workers' Union goes on a general strike in a few hours, the government has nothing to say. A quarantine system maintained at the expense of the unilateral sacrifice of one group cannot be called a success."
Meanwhile, the Health and Medical Workers' Union abruptly withdrew the general strike scheduled for 7 a.m. on the 2nd about five hours before it was to begin. The union and the Ministry of Health and Welfare held the 13th labor-government practical negotiations from 3 p.m. on the 1st and reached a dramatic agreement past midnight in the early morning.
Regarding this, President Moon said at an internal Blue House meeting on the 2nd, "It is truly fortunate that the labor-government agreement was reached early this morning," and expressed gratitude to the medical staff, saying, "Thank you for putting the people first," according to Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi.
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