"Saved from Last Place Thanks to Hangang"…List of 'Great Villains' Circulated in the Opposition Camp

List of Figures Calling for Yoon's Impeachment Spreads
From Politicians to Entertainers, Directors, and Writers Included

Former President Moon Jae-in, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and entertainers such as IU, Lee Seung-hwan, and NewJeans appeared on a 'traitor' list that has become a topic of discussion in political circles. On the 11th, multiple online communities circulated a list titled 'Pro-China, Pro-North Korean Communist Red List' featuring their names. The list includes figures from various industries, including comedians, actors, film directors, and writers.

Former Lawmaker Choi Kang-wook Facebook

Upon seeing this, former Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook wrote on social media, "Thanks to writer Han Kang, I avoided being last." Choi’s name is located at the bottom right of the list, with writer Han Kang’s name placed just below his. Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae said, "Choi Kang-wook avoided being last, but I avoided being first or second." Jung’s name appears third from the left on the list, following Moon Jae-in and Lee Jae-myung.

The list, which contains a total of 107 names, is presumed to include individuals who have voiced calls for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol in various ways. IU gained attention last December for prepaying for bread, drinks, and gukbap (soup with rice) at restaurants and cafes near the National Assembly for fans attending a rally calling for President Yoon’s impeachment. NewJeans also attracted attention around the same time for prepaying for fans participating in impeachment protests.

As prominent figures in the entertainment industry lent support to calls for President Yoon’s impeachment, backlash emerged. At the time, a YouTuber claimed, “IU actively supported those attending the impeachment rally and even provided food, fostering an impeachment atmosphere,” and reported this to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Subsequently, staunch supporters of President Yoon continued to report those expressing support for impeachment to the CIA. The intent was to label them as pro-North Korean forces, complicate their U.S. entry screenings, or block their ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) issuance. However, visa and stay-related matters are handled by the U.S. Department of State, not the CIA, and the Department of State does not decide visa issuance based solely on political views, leading to assessments that these efforts would be ineffective.