"Just a Japanese-themed restaurant, unrelated to traitors"
The aftermath of the so-called 'traitor' remark made by Ansan, the archer who won three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, continues. The owner of the Japanese-style restaurant mentioned by Ansan lamented, "I became a traitor in an instant," and even an active member of the National Assembly has joined the fray.
The incident occurred on the 16th. On that day, Ansan posted a photo of a Japanese-style restaurant on her Instagram Story. The photo showed an electronic signboard with Chinese characters indicating international departures to Japan, which appeared to be the interior of a restaurant themed around traveling to Japan. Ansan wrote, "Why are there so many traitors in Korea?"
The restaurant mentioned by Ansan is a domestic Japanese cuisine brand chain, mainly known as an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) serving nabe (Japanese hot pot). The founder is Korean. The restaurant is located in an area with many Japanese restaurants and operates under the concept of 'traveling to Japan.'
Meanwhile, Kwon Sun-ho, the CEO of the brand, expressed his frustration on Instagram on the 17th, saying, "Due to the resulting rumors and speculation, I suddenly became a descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators."
He said, "Because of the controversy, I have received numerous messages, and the store owners including myself are receiving malicious comments calling us traitors and saying 'I hope you die.' As an inexperienced CEO, it is very difficult to know how to respond."
In response to his appeal, an active member of the National Assembly stepped forward. Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, said that day, "I will do my job until the end of my term as a lawmaker. I will try to have relevant organizations, including the Korean Sports Council and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, take swift action on this matter, so I hope the CEO will contact me."
Rep. Ha pointed out, "The restaurant owner is appealing against the unfairness caused by a flood of malicious comments over a single photo. The restaurant is just one of various country concepts themed around world travel, including a Japanese-style restaurant, and has nothing to do with being a traitor or pro-Japanese collaborator. It is regrettable that a young entrepreneur’s efforts are being undermined by a careless remark from an athlete with great influence as a national representative."
Meanwhile, Ansan has not yet made any specific statement regarding the controversy. However, on the 18th, she posted a photo taken in front of Jeonju Hanok Village on her Instagram without any caption.
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