Promotional Materials with Mocking Messages Hung Throughout the City
Government Announces Plan to Reinforce Discipline Ahead of APEC Summit
As banners installed by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's Wolsong Nuclear Power Headquarters in the Gyeongju area of Gyeongbuk sparked strong public backlash, Prime Minister Kim Minseok criticized them as "insulting expressions" and announced his intention to get to the bottom of the situation.
Banners installed by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's Wolsong Nuclear Power Headquarters in the Gyeongju area of Gyeongbuk sparked strong public backlash. Facebook page of the Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongju Regional Committee
On September 21, through his social networking service (SNS) account, Prime Minister Kim stated, "The banners put up by the Wolsong Headquarters have provoked public anger," adding, "A public institution should not attempt to resolve its relationship with the local community in this manner." He went on to say, "This incident will serve as an opportunity to reassess the overall attitude of public officials in communicating with the public."
The controversial banners were recently displayed in various parts of Gyeongju, with phrases such as, "You enjoyed noodles during the Cherry Blossom Marathon, didn't you?", "Did you know that Wolsong Nuclear Power Headquarters paid 219 billion won in local taxes to Gyeongju over the past five years?", and "Besides taxes, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power also supports monthly performances at the Arts Center." Among citizens, these banners were criticized as either "showing off donations" or "mocking local residents."
Banners installed by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's Wolsong Nuclear Power Headquarters in the Gyeongju area of Gyeongbuk sparked strong public backlash. Facebook page of the Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongju Regional Committee
The Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongju Regional Committee also issued a statement, sharply criticizing the move as "an irresponsible act that ignores fundamental issues such as nuclear safety and residents' health rights, while focusing solely on emotional publicity." Some local political circles have analyzed that the banners were an attempt to ease public opinion in the region ahead of the announcement of the enforcement decree for the Special Act on High-Level Radioactive Waste.
Prime Minister Kim further raised the level of criticism, stating, "Support from public institutions for local communities should not be a form of benevolence or charity, but rather cooperation based on trust and respect," and added, "Without such a perspective, and with sarcastic expressions, it is impossible to earn the trust of citizens."
The Wolsong Headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, which installed the banners, explained, "It was simply for promotional purposes and unrelated to the legislation on radioactive waste facilities." However, they also stated, "Considering the inappropriateness of the expressions and the locations where they were posted, we removed the banners within two hours."
The Prime Minister's Office's response to this incident is also drawing attention. With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit scheduled to be held in Busan this November, the government appears to be strengthening discipline among public officials. An official from the Prime Minister's Office commented, "As the banners spread through online communities, the Prime Minister became directly aware of the issue," and added, "We will begin preparing measures to correct the principles of public communication by public institutions."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
