Controversy Surrounds Na Kyung-won’s ‘Drum’ Image Targeting Lee Jae-myung: Legal Action and Rebuttals

The Democratic Party (Minjoo Party) has filed a police complaint against People Power Party’s (PPP) Na Kyung-won, a presidential primary candidate, for posting a ‘drum’ image seemingly targeting Democratic Party’s presidential primary candidate Lee Jae-myung. 😲 The controversy stems from the image’s alleged association with a far-right online community and its potential to spread misinformation.

Details of the Complaint

The Democratic Party’s ‘Fake News Monitoring Team’ (Minjoo Patrol Station) stated during a press conference at the National Assembly that they have accused Na Kyung-won of disseminating false information and defamation by filing a report to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. 📝

According to the Minjoo Patrol Station, the ‘drum’ image has been repeatedly used on the extreme right-wing community ‘Ilbe’ (short for Ilgan Best, a controversial South Korean online forum known for its right-wing and often offensive content. 🤔) to undermine Lee Jae-myung with false framing. They also pointed out that the image was distributed to reporters through Na’s KakaoTalk public relations channel. 📱

They emphasized that it is shameful for a presidential candidate from a mainstream political party to use claims from a community known for 국민적 혐오 (Gungminjeok Hyeomo – National loathing) without any critical examination. The Democratic Party has vowed to hold those responsible for spreading false information about their primary candidates accountable legally and politically. 😠

Na Kyung-won’s Rebuttal

Na Kyung-won responded on Facebook, stating that she would counter the Democratic Party’s strategic lawsuits and accusations with her own legal actions. 👊

She questioned why the ‘drum’ meme is being attributed solely to Ilbe when it has been circulating among the public on other online communities. Na criticized the Democratic Party for allegedly acting like an investigative body through its ‘Minjoo Patrol Station,’ and accused them of 의회 독재 (euhoe dokjae – parliamentary dictatorship). 🙄

Na also argued that the ‘drum’ image is not a fear-mongering tactic but a reflection of the actual ‘fear’ Lee Jae-myung allegedly represents to the public, citing questionable deaths and choices related to Lee. 😨

Na had previously posted a photo on her social media showing herself in a drum, with the message, “I will never give in, even if I have to go into a drum,” indirectly criticizing Lee Jae-myung. 🥁

The political clash highlights the sensitivity surrounding online memes and their potential to be weaponized in South Korea’s heated political landscape. 🔥