What Crime Did Employees and Dairy Farmers Commit? ... 'Yoon Sang-hyun's In-law' Boycott Movement Emerging Online

Online Backlash Against Rep. Yoon's In-Law's Company Boycott
IU Also 'Caught in the Crossfire' for Supporting Food at Impeachment Rally

A post stating the boycott of Purmil products, which is affiliated with Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party (left), and his in-laws. Photo by Kim Hyun-min · Online community

Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, sparked controversy by opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and stating, "Even if you oppose it, the people eventually vote for them." In response, voices calling for a boycott of dairy products from Purmil, a dairy company reportedly linked to Yoon's in-laws, have emerged.

Yoon's father-in-law is known to be Shin Jun-ho, chairman of Purmil. Chairman Shin is the fourth younger brother of the late Shin Kyuk-ho, founder of Lotte Group. Yoon, who was once known as the son-in-law of Chun Doo-hwan, remarried in 2010 to Shin Kyung-ah, daughter of Chairman Shin Jun-ho. Yoon's spouse, Ms. Shin, is known to be the largest shareholder and executive director of Daeseon Construction.

Earlier, on the 8th, Yoon appeared on a YouTube broadcast and said, "We cannot hand over power to the Democratic Party," adding, "Even if you oppose impeachment, the people eventually vote for them," which caused controversy. Afterwards, Yoon clarified that "only some expressions were highlighted," but as the fact that his in-laws are connected to Purmil circulated, various online communities and social networking services (SNS) have seen the emergence of a "Purmil boycott movement."

A post on an online community stating the intention to boycott Purmil products, the company affiliated with Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party.

On the 16th, posts on X (formerly Twitter) and other SNS platforms included messages such as "Boycott Purmil, Yoon Sang-hyun's in-laws," "Purmil is Yoon Sang-hyun's in-laws' company. Join the boycott," "Boycotting Purmil. Let's punish Yoon Sang-hyun who actively supported the rebellion," and "I don't want to put money in the pockets of someone who sympathizes with illegal martial law." They also shared lists of Purmil product names and photos.

This boycott movement sparked by the impeachment crisis is not the first of its kind. Those opposing impeachment announced on the 13th that they would boycott products endorsed by singer IU, who supported the impeachment rally by providing food and hot packs. They have been sharing information about various companies where IU is or was a brand ambassador. In response, netizens supporting impeachment have expressed reactions encouraging support and purchasing rather than boycotting.