[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Recently, Jung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, who apologized for the controversy over his 'Myeolgong' remarks, resumed his SNS activities on the 18th, four days later, mentioning 'Pilsung' instead of 'Myeolgong'.
On the 18th, Vice Chairman Jung posted a photo of the 2020 book "History Makes You Strong" by former Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-kyung on his Instagram, writing, "You have to become strong to win." He also added the hashtags 'Pilsung' and 'History Makes You Strong'.
The book is an essay subtitled "Rereading History for Strategic Talent," which reinterprets failed history from a strategic perspective and criticizes the distorted reality of history education.
On the same day, Vice Chairman Jung also shared content about 'General Yi Sun-sin' covered in the book. The author explained, "Yi Sun-sin consolidated the military technology that Joseon had achieved through personal effort without help from the central government," and added, "Yi Sun-sin is an example showing that although Joseon's national system was a mess, the capabilities of individual Joseon people were quite good."
Meanwhile, on the 7th, Vice Chairman Jung posted a newspaper article featuring a photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping along with the hashtag 'Myeolgong.' This led to conservative opposition politicians, including Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, posting photos related to anchovies and beans, sparking disputes inside and outside the political sphere.
After 'Starbucks boycott' and 'purchase campaigns' spread, on the 13th, Vice Chairman Jung posted an apology saying, "If even one colleague or customer turns away because of me, nothing can justify it! If anyone was hurt by my freedom, it is entirely my fault," and temporarily suspended his SNS activities.
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