"Think Twice Before Using SNS" Controversial Selfie Sparks Criticism... Gominjung Ultimately Apologizes

A certification photo taken by Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, after participating in the early voting for the Seoul mayoral by-election.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who sparked controversy over violating quarantine rules after posting a photo of her finger stamped with a ballot mark following early voting in the Seoul mayoral by-election, has apologized for her actions.

On the 3rd, Go posted on her Facebook, "There were criticisms regarding the early voting certification photo I posted yesterday," and apologized, saying, "I sincerely regret my inappropriate behavior." She added, "I will strictly adhere to the COVID-19 quarantine guidelines and recommendations going forward."

The day before, Go posted on Facebook, "I finished voting at the Guui 3-dong early voting station in the neighborhood where I live," along with a photo showing a red voting stamp on her thumb, which led to criticism from the political community for violating quarantine rules.

The quarantine authorities had requested that people refrain from stamping their bare hands, as stamping inside the voting booth could contaminate other areas and potentially spread COVID-19.

In response, Heo Eun-ah, head of the New Media Division of the People Power Party's election committee, directly criticized, "(The quarantine authorities) recommend receiving a voting confirmation slip rather than taking certification photos, but a sitting Democratic Party lawmaker ignored this." She added, "At this point, I wonder if she is the 'Dark Knight' for the People Power Party," and criticized Go's behavior, saying, "Go Min-jung should think twice when using social media."

Kim Geun-sik, director of the Vision Strategy Office of the People Power Party, also mocked on his Facebook that afternoon, "I knew it. Since all she can do is post emotional certification photos, it was inevitable that she would cause trouble."

He pointed at Go, saying, "She posted certification photos showing tears and hugs with supporters after losing the election without any apology or sympathy for the victims of Park Won-soon, certification photos evoking sympathy by collapsing tiredly in the office while campaigning after being expelled from the camp as one of the three complainants, photos of campaigning amid blooming forsythia flowers, and still confidently boasting without reflection or apology."

He continued, "In the end, she officially confirmed to the world that she violated quarantine rules while trying to show off early voting," and said, "She clearly 'certified the accident' with the certification photo." Finally, he added, "Go Min-jung, instead of playing emotional certification photo games, sincerely listen to public sentiment and start with reflection."

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