Kim Eo-jun on Jeong Yong-jin's 'Anti-Communism Controversy': "Addicted to SNS... Needs to Talk with Experts"

'Anti-Communism Controversy' Jeong Yong-jin's '○○' on North Korean Missile Article

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. Photo by TBS from the broadcast screen of 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid the spread of a boycott movement against Emart, Starbucks, and others following Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin of Shinsegae Group's 'Myeolgong' (anti-communism) remarks, broadcaster Kim Eo-jun criticized Vice Chairman Chung on the 12th, calling him "addicted to SNS."

On that day, Kim said on his TBS radio show 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' which he hosts, "He said he would no longer make (Myeolgong remarks) on SNS, but when (North Korea) launched a missile, he did it again."

He criticized, "(Vice Chairman Chung) wrote 'OO' instead of 'Myeolgong.' He is not a child, and just after saying he would not do it as a chaebol owner, this time he didn't write Myeolgong but OO? SNS addiction."

He continued, "Even chaebol owners are vulnerable as natural persons in this regard, and if they become addicted like this, they should talk to experts."

Kim also pointed out, "This does not only harm himself. (If it only harmed himself,) he could bear the damage himself, so he could do as he pleases. But this harms the entire company," adding, "Now it seems he cannot quit (SNS). It's an addiction situation."

Jung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Vice Chairman Chung stated that he would refrain from making Myeolgong remarks in the future after the Shinsegae Group's stock price fluctuated due to the recent Myeolgong comments, causing a big stir.

He said on his Instagram, "I was born into a business family and will live and die as a businessman. Since I have no career concerns, don't talk about politics," adding, "Myeolgong is politics to some, but to me, it is reality."

He continued, "Businessmen do business, politicians do politics. As a businessman and a citizen of South Korea who faces the anxiety of not knowing when missiles might fly to the country I live in, I spoke from a natural feeling," adding, "If the sense to calculate that my everyday language could be used politically and the quick wit to know where to tie my gat string are qualities of a businessman, I will cultivate them." This seems to indicate his intention to refrain from politically controversial remarks in the future.

However, the day before, he posted an article about North Korea's ballistic missile launch on Instagram and wrote 'OO.' Some pointed out that 'OO' might be a substitute for 'Myeolgong.' As the controversy grew, Vice Chairman Chung deleted the post.