Some Netizens Raise Suspicions of a "Communist Party Badge"
Woo Won-sik Expresses Frustration Over the Allegations
Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik expressed feelings of injustice and regret regarding some claims that the 'Dongbaek Flower badge' he wore on his chest when the National Assembly passed the emergency martial law lifting proposal during the December 3 emergency martial law incident was a "Communist Party badge." The Dongbaek Flower badge was created to commemorate the Jeju 4·3 incident.
On the 8th, Speaker Woo posted on his social media (SNS), "These days, some websites are spreading rumors that my badge is a Communist Party badge," lamenting, "Fake news has come this far... How could the Speaker of the National Assembly wear a Communist Party badge?" He further explained about the badge, saying, "It is the Jeju 4·3 badge that the families of the Jeju 4·3 victims pinned on my chest."
Speaker Woo Won-shik expressed his frustration over claims that the 'Dongbaek Flower Badge' he wore on his chest when the National Assembly passed the emergency martial law repeal proposal during the December 3 emergency martial law incident was a "Communist Party badge." Woo Won-shik Facebook
Earlier, some netizens on SNS and other platforms criticized Speaker Woo by claiming, "What is that Communist Party badge pinned on his chest?" The post, along with photos of Speaker Woo, quickly spread across online communities, and many netizens raised suspicions about the badge.
In response, Speaker Woo said, "The very imagination that it is a (Communist Party badge) is absurd, and it is truly saddening that such fake news is being accepted as truth," and questioned, "Then what about the badges that President Yoon Seok-yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo are wearing on their chests?" He attached photos showing President Yoon and Prime Minister Han each wearing the same Dongbaek Flower badge at the Jeju 4·3 victims memorial ceremony. President Yoon attended the memorial ceremony on April 3, 2022, during his presidential transition period, and later Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended and delivered a memorial speech.
The Dongbaek Flower badge, symbolizing the camellia flower which represents Jeju 4·3, was distributed widely in 2018 to mark the 70th anniversary of Jeju 4·3, mainly through the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation. Speaker Woo explained the meaning of the Dongbaek Flower badge, saying, "I believe our nation must resolve the deep-seated grievances of the (Jeju 4·3) victim families," and added, "I proudly wear it on my chest with the conviction that the truth must be uncovered and that no more harm should ever come to our people by state authority."
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