COVID-19 Cases Surge... Yoon Mi-hyang Enjoys 'Wine Party' and Posts Then Deletes 인증샷

[Image source = Screenshot from Yoon Mi-hyang, Democratic Party of Korea member's Instagram]

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Choi Eun-young] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea intensifies alarmingly, with daily confirmed cases exceeding 1,000, controversy has arisen over Rep. Yoon Mi-hyang of the Democratic Party posting photos on SNS of herself drinking with acquaintances.

On the 11th, Rep. Yoon uploaded a photo on her SNS showing her having dinner and drinking wine with five acquaintances.

She added the caption, "Celebrating Grandma Gil's birthday, engraving her absence in our hearts as we meet among ourselves to celebrate and wish for health," and "Sharing dreams while dining." 'Grandma Gil' appears to refer to Gil Won-ok, a victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery.

Grandma Gil's birthday is on the 23rd day of the 10th lunar month, which was December 7 this year. It is unclear when Rep. Yoon’s 'wine gathering' took place, but Grandma Gil was not present in the photo.

The controversial point was that everyone in the photo, including Rep. Yoon, was raising wine glasses in a toast pose without wearing masks.

As a result, netizens have criticized her, questioning how a member of the National Assembly could hold a wine party amid the current situation. One netizen commented on the Facebook page 'Yoon Mi-hyang's Office,' saying, "Yoon Mi-hyang, the entire nation is struggling with COVID-19. Instead of contributing to the crucial quarantine efforts of the Moon Jae-in administration and the democratic government, are you satisfied by showing off that you are taking care of the grandmothers?"

Broadcaster Kim Nam-hoon also posted a screenshot of Rep. Yoon’s SNS on his Twitter, strongly criticizing, "How can a member of the National Assembly behave like this in the current situation? Moreover, none of them are wearing masks. Ordinary citizens are postponing various anniversaries, year-end parties, and even weddings."

Especially as the spread of COVID-19 has been severe recently, on the 12th, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced that it is "an extremely serious and urgent situation that is difficult to express in words," which has further amplified the criticism directed at Rep. Yoon.

After the 'wine gathering' photo posted on SNS became controversial, Rep. Yoon has since deleted the photo.

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