IU, Not Only Donating to Nurses: Moon Supports Nurses... IU Fans Draw the Line

President Moon Thanks Nurses and Mentions 'IU's Good Deeds'
IU Fans Issue Statement Amid 'Division' Controversy: "Also Donated to Doctors"

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 31st of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] When President Moon Jae-in praised nurses who are taking responsibility for the medical service gap caused by doctors' collective strikes and mentioned singer IU's good deeds, some fans issued rebuttals. It appears they were aware of the controversy that President Moon's post created a 'division' between doctors who left the medical field and nurses who remained.

The DC Inside IU Gallery released a statement on the 2nd, starting with, "IU donated approximately 46,000 ice vests worth 100 million won to the Korean Nurses Association."

However, they added, "IU has made five donations to prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19, including donating 3,000 medical protective suits worth 100 million won to the Korean Medical Association in February."

They further explained, "While we are deeply honored that the President praised singer IU's good deeds, we would like to clarify this point as there may be some citizens who misunderstand that IU only donated to nurses."

Earlier, President Moon Jae-in expressed gratitude to nurses on the front lines of COVID-19 medical care through Facebook on the same day.

President Moon said, "I extend my deep gratitude and respect to the nurses who silently guard the medical field left by doctors such as residents," and added, "They must be going through a difficult and challenging time fighting COVID-19 for long hours, and now they have to bear the burden of doctors' prolonged strikes. How hard and difficult it must be."

President Moon Jae-in posted a message on the 2nd expressing gratitude for the hard work of nurses and mentioned singer IU's good deeds, while some of IU's fans posted clarification statements. Photo by DC Inside IU Gallery

He continued, "Due to the medical service gap, patients are experiencing increased inconvenience, and nurses have to endure criticism and verbal abuse," and mentioned the medical service gap caused by the healthcare workers' strike, saying, "Thinking of nurses who suffer from poor working conditions, increased workload, and emotional labor is very heartbreaking."

President Moon said, "During the recent heatwave, the heartbreaking news that medical staff who could not take off their protective suits at outdoor screening clinics were collapsing touched the hearts of the people," and added, "Although they were referred to as medical staff, most of them were nurses, which the public knows well."

He then mentioned IU's donation, saying, "I also heard the news that singer IU donated ice vests," and urged, "Please do not forget that our people are always by the side of the nurses who steadfastly endure and protect patients."

However, some criticized President Moon's post as a form of comparison between doctors and nurses, calling it a so-called 'division.'

Some netizens voiced criticism, saying, "Is this dividing doctors and nurses?" "The work of nurses and doctors is different. All the tasks that only doctors can do are fully handled by professors and teachers," "It looks like low-level instigation," and "Why belittle doctors when a simple thank you would suffice?"

As the controversy arose, users of the DC Inside IU Gallery expressed concerns such as, "Is IU being used?" and "IU should not be caught up in this division."

On the other hand, some netizens responded that there was no problem, saying, "Isn't it true that the workload of nurses has increased?" and "It seems to be just expressing sympathy for the nurses' hard work."

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