Gyeongbuk Province Requests Korea Communications Standards Commission to Establish Recurrence Prevention Measures
Controversy Over 'Pisik University' Nutrition Video Erupted Last May
Gyeongbuk Province, which was embroiled in a so-called regional disparagement controversy involving the YouTube channel 'Pisik University,' has requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) to establish measures to prevent recurrence.
On the 15th, the province announced that it visited the KCSC the previous day to request stronger penalties and a firm response against regional disparagement and defamation on online platforms. Earlier, in May, the YouTube channel 'Pisik University' posted a video titled "Made in Gyeongsang-do," which spotlighted Yeongyang.
However, rather than promoting Yeongyang, the video contained negative remarks that could be perceived as regional disparagement. The cast commented on Yeongyang with remarks such as "Isn't this China?", "It has no distinct features," and "It looks like China."
YouTube channel 'Pisik University' video on Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, which sparked controversy over regional disparagement [Image source=YouTube capture]
Moreover, they made statements that insulted small business owners who cooperated with the filming. After tasting local specialties, they said "Grandma's taste," adding, "It's not worth coming all the way to Yeongyang just to eat this." The video clearly showed the restaurant's name.
In particular, Mr. A, the owner of the restaurant featured in the video, later expressed in an interview with JTBC, "At the time, lunch service was over, and I was not accepting customers, but since they said they were famous YouTubers, I served them a meal," adding, "It was my fault for serving food even though business was over. I am so exhausted that I am considering closing the store and taking a break."
After the video was released, netizens' reactions were also negative. Critical responses such as "The entire video is full of sarcasm and disrespect," "Shocking remarks," and "What was the reason for making such a video?" continued.
Oh Do-chang, the mayor of Yeongyang County, also appeared on SBS radio program 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show' at the time, pointing out, "Although it is a comedy program, it hurt the pride of the county residents with a negative image," and said, "We received an apology, but I believe urgent measures are needed to soothe the hurt residents."
As the controversy grew, Pisik University posted an apology and made the video private, but the province is concerned that, due to the nature of online platforms, anyone can upload similar videos without sufficient verification, causing problems.
Ryu Hee-sim, chairperson of the KCSC, said, "Various problems are occurring increasingly on sophisticated online platforms," and added, "We will review the issues raised by the province and consider measures to address them."
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