Only Japanese Cars Targeted with 'Pro-Japanese Traitor' Notes... 'Daegu Independence Fighter' Emerges?

Only Japanese Brand Cars Targeted with 'Anti-Japanese Collaborator Purge' Notes
Netizens Debate "Amusing" vs "Risk of Generalization"

A man who left notes on only Japanese brand cars saying "Let's punish and eliminate pro-Japanese collaborators" is gaining popularity on social media (SNS) as a so-called "independence activist."

A note left by a man only on Japanese brand cars.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 22nd, a post titled "Someone left something strange on my car" was uploaded to an online community. The author, Mr. A, who visited the Daegu courthouse, said, "It was an interesting experience," and shared the note left on his car along with dashcam footage.

In the dashcam video released by Mr. A, a middle-aged man wearing a blue shirt and a mask can be seen inserting a note into Mr. A's vehicle. The man is holding a bunch of notes containing the same message. Mr. A explained, "The notes were placed not only on my car but also on Japanese brand vehicles such as Lexus and Honda."

A man placing notes only on Japanese brand vehicles.
[Photo by Online Community]

The note reads: "Pro-Japanese collaborators who drove Korean youth to be cannon fodder for the Japanese army and led the way in torturing and betraying independence fighters more harshly than the Japanese themselves! Weren't those who received titles, land, and money in return and lived in luxury the very anti-national, traitorous pro-Japanese collaborators? Therefore, before we curse the Japanese, shouldn't we first punish and eliminate these anti-national, traitorous pro-Japanese collaborators? Although late, it must be done before the end of human society."

The man has become a sensation on SNS. Netizens responded with comments such as "Bold," "The courage to act is admirable," "He's a modern-day independence activist," "The reincarnation of Gaksital," "I hope people who buy Japanese cars feel uneasy," "Pro-Japanese collaborators must disappear," and "He acts in a cheerful way." Netizen B, who said they had received such a note, said, "(The man leaving the notes) is famous in the Daegu area," adding, "Everyone thinks of him cheerfully. I have received notes several times, but I don't feel uncomfortable; rather, I feel happy and reflective. When I have extra funds, I plan to switch to a domestic car."

On the other hand, some netizens responded with comments like "Leaving threatening notes on cars is a crime," "He probably uses a lot of Japanese products at home," "It's premature to label someone a pro-Japanese collaborator just because they drive a Japanese car," and "Calling someone a pro-Japanese collaborator just because they drive a Japanese vehicle is an overgeneralization."