"America Is Behind Me": Jeon Hangil Receiving a Medal from Trump? ... Turns Out to Be 'Fake'

"Jeon Hangil Not Listed Among White House Medal Recipients"

Claims and photos are circulating on social networking services (SNS) alleging that Jeon Hangil, a Korean history lecturer who has opposed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Donald Trump. However, foreign media have reported that the photo is a manipulated image.

On June 13 (local time), AFP reported that "the photo is a composite, with Jeon's face edited onto the image of a Republican donor who actually received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom."

Earlier, on June 11, the photo was posted in a conservative-leaning Facebook group with over 30,000 members. The poster wrote, "At first, I thought it was just a boast, but after seeing this photo of Jeon Hangil personally receiving a medal from President Trump, I came to believe that the United States is backing him. Be prepared to become an enemy of President Trump if you go after Mr. Jeon," alongside the photo showing Jeon receiving a medal from President Trump.

On the 11th, a photo showing Jeon Hangil receiving a medal from U.S. President Donald Trump was posted in a conservative-leaning Facebook group. AFP reported that this photo is a manipulated image. Photo by Facebook capture

In response, AFP reported that Jeon is not included in the official list of recipients of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and confirmed that the image in question is a manipulated photo.

According to AFP, the original photo was published in The New York Times on November 16, 2018, showing President Trump awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Miriam Adelson. At the time, The New York Times explained, "President Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Adelson. Adelson is a physician and philanthropist who, along with her husband Sheldon Adelson, has made significant donations to Republican candidates."

AFP further reported, "While Adelson is listed among the recipients of the medal on the White House website, Jeon is not. The photo of Jeon used in the manipulated image matches a portrait that previously appeared on the website of a civil service exam academy where he taught Korean history."

Jeon has consistently expressed opposition to the impeachment of President Yoon. On June 6, during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel 'Jeon Hangil News,' he stated, "Advisors, administrative officers, secretaries, or the Democratic Party under President Lee Jaemyung, listen carefully. If you go after Jeon Hangil, I will immediately inform the Trump administration." He emphasized, "Behind me are the United States, Japan's NHK, Yomiuri TV, Sankei Shimbun, and the UK's The Economist. I have received promises from foreign correspondents to protect Jeon Hangil."