"Canceling Donations"... Political Fights Dragging in National Disasters

Some Lee Jaemyung Supporters Cancel Wildfire Relief Donations
Some Yoon Suk-yeol Supporters Criticize Singer Supporting Impeachment

Warm-hearted gestures such as donations and volunteer activities are being extended to residents who suffered great damage from the massive wildfire that occurred in the Yeongnam region. Meanwhile, online, political factional disputes are unfolding related to the large-scale disaster.

On the 29th, Yonhap News reported that since the 27th, several posts have appeared on progressive-leaning online communities certifying that donations to wildfire-affected areas were made and then canceled. The cause was protests from some affected residents directed at Representative Lee Jae-myung.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung visited the Korean Seonbi Culture Research Institute, an evacuation center for wildfire victims in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, on the afternoon of the 28th, guided by Jeong Young-cheol, Deputy Governor of Sancheong-gun. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 27th, Representative Lee was threatened by a passerby at the Yeongyang County Cultural and Sports Center, a shelter for wildfire evacuees in Yeongyang County, Gyeongbuk, which he visited.

As Representative Lee came outside the shelter building and was walking toward the external meal distribution vehicle to greet volunteers, a passerby dressed in black approached him. The individual suddenly shouted "I don't want to see you" at Lee and swung an outer garment he was holding in his right hand. Subsequently, nearby security guards rushed in and restrained the man.

In response, posts appeared on progressive-leaning online communities criticizing, saying, "Are you harming an opposition party leader who is rushing around to help?" and "I will never donate to that area again." Some posts stated, "I will cancel my donation. The '2jjik' (a derogatory term for People Power Party supporters) remain unchanged," or that they changed their donation destination to Muju County, Jeonbuk.

The forest authorities continued firefighting efforts on the 29th, the 9th day of the wildfire that occurred in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, aiming to extinguish the last remaining main fire line in the Jirisan area. The photo shows the area around Sancheong-gun at around 4 a.m. that day. Provided by the animal rescue organization Sobai. Photo by Yonhap News.

The opposite situation also unfolded. Some conservative-leaning netizens supporting President Yoon Suk-yeol went to singer Lee Seung-hwan’s social media (SNS) to launch an offensive. They took issue with Lee performing a song calling for impeachment on the podium of a rally hosted by the 'Candlelight Action' on the 27th, when the wildfire damage was at its peak.

They criticized, saying, "How can you dance and sing without even having a mourning period?" and "It feels like a festival atmosphere even though the flames haven't been contained." On X (formerly Twitter), posts appeared calling participants in the 'Candlelight Cultural Festival' amid the wildfire damage 'anti-state forces' and 'communists.'

Experts expressed concern that as the impeachment trial political climate intensifies, even national disasters are being approached primarily through partisan lenses. Professor Kim Yoon-tae of the Department of Sociology at Korea University’s Graduate School of Public Policy told Yonhap News, "As conflicts related to impeachment intensify, everything is being reduced and interpreted through factional logic," adding, "There is no panacea for the current polarized situation. Changes are needed not only in politics, society, and the media but also in education for individuals."

On the 26th, near Gyeongbokgung Station on Jahamun-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul, groups and citizens calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol are shouting slogans. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, as the Constitutional Court continues to deliberate for over a month on the date for the impeachment trial ruling of President Yoon Suk-yeol, large-scale pro- and anti-impeachment rallies will be held across downtown Seoul over the weekend.

The Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol and Social Reform will hold the '17th Pan-Citizen March' at 5 p.m. at Dongshipjagak in Gwanghwamun. The police have been notified of 100,000 participants. After the rally demanding President Yoon’s dismissal, they plan to march to Jeokseon-dong, Jongno-gu.

The anti-impeachment side will also hold a large-scale rally. The conservative group Save Korea will conduct a 'National Emergency Prayer Meeting' from 1 p.m. at Yeouidaero in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. They reported to the police that 20,000 people will attend.