Controversy Over Photo Source Posted on Instagram Last Month
"Speculated to Be Taken by a Victim of the Itaewon Disaster"
Mr. Jo: "My Precious Memory... Please Avoid Overinterpretation"
Cho Min, the eldest daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, is facing controversy over a photo she posted on Instagram. The photo is claimed to be from a camping trip about nine months ago with a friend who passed away in the Itaewon tragedy. Cho requested "to refrain from overinterpretation," but netizens continue to debate fiercely.
On the 25th of last month, Cho posted a photo with a short caption, "Daebudo seaside camping," showing her smiling with the seaside in the background. In the photo, Cho is seen wearing a cardigan and jeans, looking at a tent.
On the 25th of last month, Jomin posted camping photos on her Instagram, and it was revealed that a friend who accompanied her on this trip and took the pictures passed away last year in the Itaewon tragedy. [Photo by Jomin's Instagram]
After the post was published, claims surfaced mainly on online communities on the 7th that the friend who went camping with Cho was A, a high school classmate of Cho who passed away in the Itaewon tragedy in October last year. Comments such as "Rest in peace" and "I miss you" were left on the Instagram account of the said individual.
A posted a photo on May 29th last year, apparently taken at the same location as Cho. A wrote, "Already a month ago. A full-day birthday party prepared by my sister in 30-minute intervals. J...?" along with the photo.
Some netizens argue that "the items in the photos posted by A and Cho are similar," pointing out that "the tent, mat, and coffee cups with blue and orange cup holders match."
Additionally, the fact that Cho 'liked' A's post has further fueled netizens' speculations.
In response to the controversy, Cho left a comment saying, "My Instagram is a place where I post my precious memories and photos I want to remember," and requested, "Please refrain from overinterpretation."
Among netizens, opinions are divided between those who say "It's just an ordinary photo" and those who find it chilling that "someone would post a photo of a deceased friend so casually."
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