'Why Did Tori Use the Gyeongsangdo Dialect?'... The Unclear Reasons Behind Yoon Seok-yeol's Apology SNS Controversy

Gyeongsangdo Dialect Appearing in Controversial SNS Post
Potential to Stir Regional Sentiment
Casual Thought of the Staff? ... 'Who Took the Photo?'

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the night of the 21st, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, posted and then deleted a photo on his social media (SNS) account showing him offering an apple to a dog, sparking a political uproar. The controversy revolves not only around whether his apology for remarks seemingly defending former President Chun Doo-hwan was sincere but also accusations that he disrespected the public who demanded an apology.

The controversy initially began when Yoon visited the office of Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker from Busan Haeundae Gap, on the 19th and made remarks that appeared to defend former President Chun. Yoon stated, "Except for the military coup and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, there were mistakes, but many say he was good at politics." He explained that his comments referred to Chun entrusting full authority over the economy to the late Kim Jae-ik, former economic chief secretary, as something to learn from. However, critics argued that this amounted to defending a former president who massacred innocent citizens.

Regarding this issue, Yoon claimed that the problem was with some expressions and that the overall remarks were not problematic. Despite continued demands for an apology during the People Power Party presidential candidate debates, Yoon firmly refused, saying, "Do not distort my words."

However, as public backlash intensified, he eventually expressed "regret" at a policy announcement event. When public sentiment did not subside despite this expression of regret, Yoon raised the level of his apology again on SNS by saying he was "sorry." Amid an overall impression that the apology was made reluctantly, a photo surfaced showing Yoon holding an apple during the traditional first birthday ritual (dol-jabi), which fueled further doubts about the sincerity of his apology.

Moreover, the photo of offering an apple to his pet dog, the main character of the SNS account created to enhance his public friendliness, caused dissatisfaction among viewers who questioned how the public demanding an apology would perceive it.

Beyond the explosive image of the photo, suspicions arose that it might be an attempt to incite regional sentiments. The hashtags on the SNS included the Gyeongsang-do dialect phrase '#uri-jip-gwaeng-i-deul-eun_indo-sagwa-an-muk-eo-ye,' meaning "Our cats don't eat Indian apples."

As Yoon, born in Seoul, has no reason to use the Gyeongsang-do dialect, this raised suspicions that the post was intended to provoke regional animosity related to former President Chun.

Yoon initially refused to apologize at a debate held in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, known for its strong conservative sentiment. After appealing to the emotions of the local residents, he reluctantly apologized the following day.

Another puzzling aspect is when and under what circumstances this photo was taken. Yoon's team explained, "The Tori Instagram account is usually used as a communication tool that personifies and ironically expresses things," adding, "A staff member lightly posted the photo, recognized the mistake, and immediately took it down."

However, considering that the dog in the controversial photo is Yoon's pet at his residence, how the photo was taken is a key factor in judging whether it was a "simple mistake." When and who took the photo are also major considerations in determining whether this message was indeed an error.