'Government Critic' Jang Hyuk, Criticizes Malicious Commenters as "Back Alley Thugs"

Photo by singer Jo Jang-hyuk, captured from Facebook

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Singer Jo Jang-hyuk warned on the 12th, after criticizing the government's response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation and receiving a series of malicious comments, "Capture them and I will sue, so keep cursing."

Jo Jang-hyuk said in a post on his Facebook that day, "Is this what you do for the people you support and cheer for? This is a crime."

He criticized, "You don't seem to realize that the numerous poisoned arrows fired while trampling on the freedom of expression in democracy will eventually come back to the people you support. The words totalitarianism and fascism are even too generous."

Singer Jo Jang-hyeok. Photo by Jo Jang-hyeok

He then warned, "Isn't this just the level of a back-alley thug? Capture them and I will sue, so keep pouring out curses."

The comment screenshots released along with the post contained curses that were too obscene to mention.

One netizen hurled the curse "gae-saeX" at Jo Jang-hyuk and claimed, "The reason Shincheonji Church members spread COVID-19 infection is because the United Future Party made them do it."

Earlier, on the 24th of last month, Jo Jang-hyuk posted on his Facebook, "'People first' still rings in my ears, but I guess it was just an election campaign slogan," and added, "Am I the only one feeling disappointed in the country?"

'People first' was a phrase used by President Moon in a past presidential election. Jo Jang-hyuk's mention of this phrase is interpreted as expressing disappointment in the current government's response to COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.