Student Council: "Intended to Criticize Extreme Polarization"
Criticism Continues Despite Student Council's Apology Letter
The Department of Political Science and International Relations at Korea University faced criticism for allegedly making light of the 12·3 Martial Law Incident by naming their school festival pub "Martial Law, Hit You." In response, the department deleted the related posts and issued an apology.
On May 20, various online communities shared promotional posters for the school festival pub that had been posted on social media by the department. According to the poster, the pub's name, "Martial Law, Hit You," appears to be a play on the Netflix series "Poksak Sogat Suda," and the poster featured the phrase "Military Top Secret." The main menu items included "Lee Jaemyung Vegetable Pork Belly" and "Yoon Sukyeol Delicious Tofu Kimchi," with images depicting Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, eating lettuce, and former President Yoon Sukyeol eating tofu.
On the 20th, various online communities shared promotional posters for the school festival pub posted on social media by the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Korea University. According to the poster posted by the department, the pub's name appears to be a play on the Netflix series "Undercover," titled "Martial Law, Hit You," and the poster includes the phrase "Military Top Secret."
Additionally, there were three side menu items: "Joguk Innovation Ramen," "Left-Spaghetti + Right-Kimchi," and "Martial Law Roll." The poster for "Joguk Innovation Ramen" featured a photo of former Joguk Innovation Party leader Joguk, who is currently imprisoned for his children's college admission bribery, along with the phrase "Boiling in prison available." The promotional material for "Left-Spaghetti Right-Kimchi" displayed side-by-side photos of candidate Lee and Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate. The "Martial Law Roll" poster showed former President Yoon inviting reporters to the presidential office in May of last year, where he served kimchi stew and rolled omelet. For dessert and drinks, the menu included "Jeong Cheongrae Lemon Sherbet," "Hongka Cola," "Woo Wonshik Hye," and "Han Deok Water," each named after Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheongrae, former Daegu mayor Hong Junpyo, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, and former Prime Minister Han Deoksoo, respectively.
In addition, there are three other menu items: "Joguk Innovation Ramen," "Left-Spaghetti + Right-Kimchi," and "Martial Law Roll." The poster for "Joguk Innovation Ramen" features a photo of former Joguk Innovation Party leader Joguk, who is currently imprisoned for his children's admission bribery, along with the phrase "Boiling in prison available." Online community
Online commenters criticized the posters, saying, "Is martial law, under which thousands or tens of thousands could have been massacred, a joke to you?" Others added, "Even if the intent was satire, political incidents like this are not subjects for satire or caricature," "What were you thinking when you made these posters?" and "It's neither funny nor meaningful." As the controversy grew, the department deleted the promotional posters and posted an apology letter from the student council president.
The Department of Political Science and International Relations stated, "We acknowledge the lack of awareness in dealing with the subject of martial law. We apologize to those who were hurt." They continued, "The pub event was planned to critically reflect on crisis situations and extreme polarization seen in real-world politics," adding, "Martial law was a symbolic device used for satire and was never intended to glorify or ridicule the system." Korea University Political Science and International Relations Student Council SNS
The department stated, "We acknowledge that there was a lack of awareness in dealing with the subject of martial law. We apologize to those who were hurt." They continued, "The pub was planned to critically reflect on crisis situations and extreme polarization in real-world politics," and explained, "Martial law was intended as a symbolic device for satire, and there was absolutely no intention to glorify or ridicule the system." They added, "We aimed to express the value of civic solidarity and responsibility that transcends conflict and division, but we take seriously that our method of expression may have hurt some people. We will approach future expressions and planning with greater caution and responsibility."
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