Shuka Addresses 'Ilbe' Controversy: "I've Never Even Visited the Site... Media Is Too Malicious Over a Mistake"

"Emphasizes 'Simple Mistake, Will Assign Dedicated Reviewer'"
Apologizes, Explains, and Donates 30 Million Won

Economic YouTuber Shuka (real name Jeon Seokjae), who apologized for using a logo created by the far-right online community Ilgan Best to mock the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, has expressed his frustration over the "Ilbe controversy" raised against him. Shuka also criticized the media, saying, "They report with the headline 'Ilbe' over a simple mistake," expressing his displeasure toward the press.

Economic YouTuber Shuka (real name Jeon Seokjae), who has 3.6 million subscribers, Sugar World Instagram

On October 1, Shuka appeared on the YouTube channel "Money Comics" and, during a live broadcast with fellow YouTuber Kim Seonghoe, said, "I have never in my life visited that site (Ilbe)." When Kim Seonghoe asked, "Surely, you're not a member (of Ilbe), right?" Shuka emphasized, "I have never once visited that site." He added, "I didn't even make (the Ilbe logo) myself," and lamented, "The media uses the headline 'Shuka Ilbe' just because the material was wrong. Is there really nothing else to report on?"

Shuka further explained, "It wasn't even something I said, it was a mistake made by the team producing the materials," criticizing, "The media is truly malicious." He continued, "Seeing this made me think a lot. The media in our country has really hit rock bottom," and added, "I've thought a lot about whether I should continue as a YouTuber. I feel really disillusioned." In conclusion, he said, "As a result of this incident, I have changed the operating motto of my channel, which I have maintained for ten years." While he had previously maintained "political neutrality," he now declared, "I will follow journalism from now on." Shuka added, "Right is right, wrong is wrong. I will run a channel that follows journalism, not my own inclinations or interests."

Shuka, who has 3.6 million subscribers, mistakenly cited a WHO logo that had been altered on Ilbe to mock former President Roh while explaining the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) on September 28. The doctored logo featured the silhouette of former President Roh holding a dog in the lower left, a skate fish in the upper left, and former President Roh on the right, all behind the snake-entwined staff emblem.

Shuka, who has 3.6 million subscribers, sparked controversy last month on the 28th when explaining the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) by mistakenly citing a WHO logo that had been altered on Ilbe to mock former President Roh. Online community

The following day, Shuka posted a pinned comment on his channel's latest video, explaining, "During this week's live broadcast, an unfortunate incident occurred where a maliciously manipulated image was shown." He said, "The image was so cleverly doctored that neither the research team's initial review nor my secondary review was able to catch the issue." He went on to apologize and announced, "From now on, we will have a dedicated staff member for review, establish a three-step review process, and conduct more thorough checks." He also stated, "As a gesture of apology, I will donate 30 million won to the Korean Red Cross's campaign supporting descendants of independence activists."