"Foolish People... No Jae-seung's Past Remarks Urging Mask Wearing Spark Controversy"

Kim Jong-in on No Jae-seung's Position: "The Party Will Make a Quick Decision"

No Jae-seung, Co-Chairman of the People Power Party Joint Election Committee. / Photo by YouTube channel 'Oh Se-hoon TV' capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] No Jae-seung, co-chairman of the People Power Party’s joint election committee, who sparked controversy by likening disaster relief funds to "dog food" and disparaging figures such as Baekbeom Kim Gu, has been revealed to have previously referred to citizens wearing masks for COVID-19 prevention as "foolish people," stirring further controversy.

On September 6, No posted on his Instagram, "It is obvious from just a little data digging that COVID-19 is no different from the flu, but even today, foolish people keep pointing fingers at each other, urging and monitoring mask-wearing," and added, "Those like me, who consider it a type of cold, are sometimes subjected without hesitation to a Joseon-style 'meongseokmari' (a traditional Korean punishment involving being wrapped in a mat)."

He shared a COVID-19 related news video and said, "The majority of people still do not know what the reality of COVID-19 is or what function vaccines serve," and criticized, "They are simply deceived by K-quarantine promotions and have obediently surrendered their freedom for over a year and a half."

He continued, "Some people misunderstand that getting vaccinated will not only prevent infection but also eliminate transmission, and some tremble in fear thinking that the virus evolves into a stronger and more terrifying unknown virus with each mutation."

Photo by No Jae-seung, Co-Chairman of the People Power Party's Joint Election Committee, Instagram screen capture.

No also said, "Aside from patient care, what was the core role of Moon Jae-in’s K-quarantine?" and sharply criticized, "Control, propaganda, divide and conquer, champagne, and no response or responsibility. It might remain as the most failed epidemic response case in history."

He added, "Still, 40% of Moon Jae-in supporters, while fiddling with shackles on their feet, will pray and pray to hear news of mourning from the US, UK, and Singapore, which have declared 'With Corona' and returned to normal life, but it seems things will go differently from their expectations."

Finally, he concluded, "My current sole political interest is, 'How many years of imprisonment will Moon Jae-in be sentenced to?'" and said, "I quietly think about which side has worsened the lives of the people more policy-wise compared to the previous administration and which side has committed more fraud."

Previously, in May last year, No criticized the government by sharing a screenshot of the government’s emergency disaster relief fund inquiry service on his Instagram, saying, "Have they never done anything productive even once in their lives, so all they know is empty talk and giving dog food?" He added the hashtag #Let’sNotBecomeDogsAndPigs. However, criticism arose that likening disaster relief funds to "dog food" was excessive.

He also sparked controversy on this year’s Liberation Day by saying about Kim Gu, "Kim Gu is a person who killed someone because the gukbap (rice soup) was served late." This appears to refer to the 1896 incident where Kim Gu killed Tsuchida Josuke, a Japanese merchant in Chihapo, Hwanghae Province, whom he judged to be a Japanese army lieutenant disguised as a Korean. After killing him, Kim Gu left a proclamation stating, "I killed this Japanese to avenge the assassination of the national mother (Empress Myeongseong)," along with his residence and name.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-in, the People Power Party’s overall election committee chairman, said on the 9th regarding No’s position, "Since there have been cases where recruitment was canceled due to past issues, I think it will be handled based on that standard." Earlier, the People Power Party had appointed dermatologist Ham Ik-byeong as co-chairman of the joint election committee, but withdrew the appointment after it was revealed he had made past remarks praising dictatorship and disparaging women.

Kim met with reporters after the funeral ceremony for former President Roh Tae-woo at Donghwa Memorial Park in Paju in the afternoon and said, "The party will make a decision as soon as possible." He added, "I was not well aware of that fact (the controversial remarks), but I confirmed yesterday for the first time that such facts exist."