Yoon Young-chan: "YouTubers stripping and shouting loudly in front of Moon's residence at dawn... Stop immediately"

Some Assembly Noise Caused Near Former President Moon's Residence in Pyeongsan Village
Former President Moon: "'Anti-intellectualism' Disrupts Peace and Freedom of Rural Village"
Democratic Party's Yoon Young-chan: "Village Residents Who Lived Peacefully Suffer from Noise"
Ruling Party Also Urges Restraint: "Hope Messages Are Delivered in a Moderate and Logical Way"

On the morning of the 15th, a rally of COVID-19 vaccine victims' group is being held around the residence of former President Moon Jae-in and his wife in Pyeongsan Village, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appealed to "return the daily life of Pyeongsan Village and the rest of former President Moon Jae-in" in relation to protests taking place in front of former President Moon Jae-in’s private residence in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan, Gyeongnam. Yoon served as the Senior Secretary for Public Communication during the Moon Jae-in administration.

On the 16th, Yoon stated on his Facebook, "It is said that the noise caused by some YouTubers and protesters in front of former President Moon Jae-in’s residence in Pyeongsan Village remains unchanged," adding, "Some YouTubers and streamers play the National Education Charter at dawn, sing shirtless, shout loudly, and utter curses, which is outrageous."

Yoon expressed, "I feel devastated that they do live broadcasts all day, exposing their bank account numbers to solicit donations or ask for Super Chats," and lamented, "Trying to make money by cursing in front of the house of a president who has completed his term and returned to his hometown?what has the world come to?"

He continued, "This ongoing noise and invasion of privacy for several days is not only a harm suffered by former President Moon and the First Lady," emphasizing, "The village residents, especially the elderly, who lived peacefully in this quiet mountain village, are suffering from noise throughout the night. If it were not serious, why would former President Moon have criticized it as 'anti-intellectualism'?"

He then raised his voice, saying, "Former President Moon and the First Lady have returned to their hometown after completing five years of duty. No public figure, nor residents living in the same village as a public figure, should have to endure such inconvenience," and sternly warned, "YouTubers and streamers in front of Pyeongsan Village must stop the disturbance immediately."

The day before, former President Moon criticized the protests causing noise around his residence, saying, "Returning home, the noise from loudspeakers and curses together with 'anti-intellectualism' are disturbing the peace and freedom of a small rural village on a Sunday."

Members of the ruling party also urged restraint regarding some protests around former President Moon’s residence. On the same day, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, said, "The freedom to express political opinions around the president’s residence must be guaranteed. It is a right that no one can block," but pointed out, "The effectiveness of a message does not necessarily correlate with the volume of the loudspeaker or the inconvenience caused to nearby residents."

Lee added, "I feel heavy-hearted seeing the sorrow and protests of those who lost family members after COVID-19 vaccination among the protesters. The People Power Party will always communicate with the COVID-19 Victims Association through Assemblyman Choi Chun-sik," but also expressed concern, "However, some other protests with different purposes are worrisome," urging, "I hope messages to former President Moon Jae-in are delivered in a moderate and logical manner. Criticism and comments about former President Moon should always be conducted in a way and form that can gain broad sympathy."

On the same day, Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, expressed concern on Facebook, saying, "Political expression should be free anytime and anywhere, but it must not become a nuisance," and warned, "If such problems recur, regulations on assemblies may be strengthened, which could suppress other necessary gatherings." He criticized, "The National Education Charter, which conservative groups play, emphasizes public interest and order, and fulfilling responsibilities and duties that come with freedom and rights. Playing this charter from 1 a.m. in front of a former president’s residence to prevent rural villagers from sleeping cannot be ethical, nor can it be in the interest of public order."