Commentator for Men's 10m Air Pistol Final Responds via SNS to Netizen Criticism
'Shooting Emperor' Jin Jong-oh, a member of the People Power Party, has taken on the role of a special commentator for the shooting events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, some netizens criticized this, questioning, "Does a member of the National Assembly have so much free time?" and argued that it is inappropriate for an active lawmaker to engage in commentary activities. As the controversy over the Olympic commentary grew, Representative Jin responded by stating it was "unpaid" and that he is "diligently fulfilling his duties in the National Assembly."
'Shooting Emperor' Jin Jong-oh, a member of the People Power Party, has been appointed as a special commentator for the shooting events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, some netizens criticized this, questioning "Does a member of the National Assembly have so much free time?" and argued that it is inappropriate for an active lawmaker to engage in commentary activities. As the controversy over Olympic commentary grew, Rep. Jin responded by saying it is "unpaid" and that he is "diligently serving in the National Assembly." [Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@]
Earlier on the 28th, Representative Jin provided commentary for the men's 10m air pistol final broadcasted on SBS, explaining the athletes' psychology and competition strategies. He analyzed the competition based on his own experiences as an athlete. Jin, a former national shooting athlete, won four gold medals and two silver medals in pistol events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics, and 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as four gold medals at the World Championships. This ties him with Kim Soo-nyung (archery) for the most individual Olympic gold medals (4) and total medals (6) by a Korean athlete. After the commentary, Jin said, "Old memories come to mind. I can feel the tension from my days as an athlete," and added, "I will do my best for the development of shooting."
Following the commentary, criticism arose mainly on online communities. Netizens commented, "The National Assembly is in turmoil due to filibusters, is politics a side job?", "Does a lawmaker have that much free time?", and "Is this possible because there is nothing to do in the party?" Some even claimed, "Did the lawmaker abandon the National Assembly to go to Paris for commentary?" referring to the fact that Jin reportedly did live commentary on-site in Paris, France.
In response to the criticism, Jin posted on Facebook on the 29th, stating, "They are fabricating false frames to incite and are disgracefully disregarding personal dignity." He added, "They are not true Korean citizens who, instead of encouraging the Olympic heroes whose shots rang out clearly in Paris and the targets they hit, or providing detailed commentary for youth national team athletes, overlay the current reality of partisan conflict with this issue." He further explained, "Mokdong SBS and Yeouido are only 15 minutes apart by car, and all my volunteer lectures and Olympic commentary are unpaid."
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