Why Did Jo Guk, Jeong Gyeongshim, and Kim Mi-ae Appear in the Mesh Mask Ban Notice?

Former Minister Cho Kuk Requests "Verification of Facts Due to Portrait Rights Infringement" on Facebook
Netizens Debate "Hospital's Political Use of Photo is Defamation" VS "Claims of Portrait Rights Infringement Are Excessive"
Hospital States "Employee Used Photo Unintentionally While Searching... Simple Mistake"

Notice to Refrain from Using Mesh Masks Used by a Hospital in Busan. Photo by Online Community Capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A controversy arose over the use of politicians' photos to urge people to refrain from wearing mesh masks at a hospital in Busan.

On the 3rd, a photo of a notice posted at the hospital quickly spread on social networking services (SNS).

The notice included the phrase "Please refrain from wearing mesh masks that cause saliva splatter," along with mosaic-covered photos of Kim Mi-ae, a member of the People Power Party, former Minister Cho Kuk, and his wife Professor Jung Kyung-shim.

In response, the Facebook page "Busan Gonggam," which has 58,000 followers, shared the notice with a post stating, "There is a People Power Party member in that photo. People should not be insulted in such a way. No matter how much they are politicians, such defamation should not be done."

Former Minister Cho Kuk himself also expressed his anger by posting on his Facebook.

Cho shared the notice along with the hospital's name and wrote, "This is clearly an infringement of portrait rights. Busan Facebook friends, please verify the facts."

Photo by Jo Guk, captured from Facebook.

Some argued that the hospital politically exploited the photos to defame the individuals, calling for the hospital's name to be disclosed and legal action to be taken.

It is known that the hospital received many protest calls related to this issue.

On the other hand, some expressed the opinion that since the individuals are already public figures and the use was not for commercial purposes, the claim of portrait rights infringement is excessive.

The notice was posted in front of a screening clinic at an ophthalmology clinic in Busan but was removed after the controversy arose.

The hospital stated, "Due to the nature of the hospital where concerns about the spread of COVID-19 are high and many elderly people visit, proper mask-wearing is essential, but there were too many people wearing mesh masks, so we posted the notice," adding, "The use of the photos was simply a staff mistake."

They continued, "A young staff member used photos found through internet search without knowing who the people were and did not expect this controversy. There was no intention, but it is regrettable that the hospital's name was disclosed and protest calls came in."

Meanwhile, the photos used by the hospital were those used by some media during the political controversy over mesh masks.

Previously, when Kim visited the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, she wore a mesh mask and was criticized by Democratic Party supporters. Later, supporters of the People Power Party (then the United Future Party) posted photos of former Minister Cho and Professor Jung wearing mesh masks while attending court hearings.

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