A handwritten list containing the names of political figures and artists in Korea, labeling them as “China-friendly,” “pro-North Korea followers,” “communists,” or “commies,” is going viral in South Korean online spaces.
On Monday, February 12, KST, Rep. Jung Chung Rae, a veteran lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, shared a post on Facebook containing that anonymous list. Rep Jung was one of the 107 individuals mentioned in it.
Apart from Rep. Jung, South Korea’s former liberal President, Moon Jae In, and Democratic Party Chair, Rep Lee Jae Myung, were also listed.
The list also featured several prominent K-Pop artists, including IU, NewJeans (NJZ), and NMIXX. Notably, all three of them had previously supported the civilian protestors calling for former President Yoon Suk Yeol‘s impeachment after he attempted to declare martial law. Both IU and NJZ made headlines for providing food for fans who attended these protests, while Kyujin of NMIXX encouraged her fans by telling them to keep warm while they were out protesting.
Some other notable celebrities on the list were Park Bo Young, Lee Chaeyeon, Lee Dong Wook, and STAYC.
Besides these artists, Han Kang was another notable name on the list. In 2024, the Korean novelist became the first Korean and Asian woman to win the Literature Nobel Prize in the award’s 123-year history. She is known for her vocal criticism of Korea’s history of state violence in her works. Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho, Squid Game director Hwang Dong Hyuk, and veteran TV personality Yoo Jae Suk were also on the list.
Among them, Bong Joon Ho was the leading figure in the film industry to call for Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, while Hwang also called for the same before the release of Squid Game season 2.
While the author of this list is yet to be found, it is presumed that far-right supporters created it. Though some of the lawmakers responded to the list, cracking sarcastic jokes about it, none of the celebrities on it have commented on it. Nevertheless, netizens are horrified. Comments such as “This is not something we should laugh about” and “If (martial law) had succeeded, it would have been a bloodbath” have surfaced in online communities with other netizens agreeing heavily. Some news outlets have also pointed out that this list significantly matched the list of “arrest squads” that counterintelligence chief Yeo In Hyung reportedly mentioned on the day Yoon announced martial law.
Source: Hankyoreh
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