[Summary] "I fell short... Sorry for causing misunderstanding" Kim Nam-guk apologizes for 'targeting coordinates' controversy

Kim Nam-guk, 'Coordinate Targeting' Controversy... Opposition: "Taste the Flavor of Personal Attacks"
"Never Requested 'Coordinate Targeting'" Apology

Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Namguk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy after announcing plans to communicate with online community users, saying he "wants to hear harsh criticism directed at himself," and then requested so-called "firepower support" from a pro-Moon Jae-in ('Chinmun') community. As criticism grew, Kim apologized, saying, "I was very lacking."

On the 13th, Kim posted on the 'FM Korea' site, stating, "I absolutely did not request 'coordinate marking' (targeting)," and apologized, saying, "I am sorry for causing unnecessary misunderstandings."

He said, "Many people around me emphasized communication with the younger generation, so I visited communities mainly composed of the 2030 youth generation to directly see and feel what young people think, what issues they are aware of, what they like, and what they find interesting."

He continued, "I thought I was somewhat familiar with the latest youth culture, comfortably interacting with juniors in their early 20s as older brothers and younger brothers, but I realize I was very lacking and still have much to learn," offering another apology.

Kim said, "I will try hard to learn and understand youth culture as much as I lack," and added, "I will gladly accept sincere advice, including harsh criticism."

Furthermore, he said, "I will immediately try to listen to the stories of the 2030 generation," and even disclosed his mobile phone number. Kim added, "I receive hundreds of messages a day, so I cannot check them quickly, but I read all of them without exception. If you have opinions you want to share, please feel free to contact me anytime."

Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

However, the FM Korea administrators deleted Kim’s post about two hours after it was posted.

In a notice, the administrators stated, "The user who has been controversial since last night was blocked for promotional and purpose-driven registration," and explained, "It was confirmed that immediately after registering, the user created an account under their own name and the first post was a survey link promotion. We treated this as promotional and purpose-driven registration, just like other new users who joined for promotion, and blocked the user and deleted the post."

Earlier, Kim had said on his Facebook the day before, "I want to visit the FM Korea community users. I know well that this is the site that criticizes me the most. Nevertheless, I really want to gather courage and listen," and added, "I want to communicate more closely and hear what you want to say to the Democratic Party."

However, about ten minutes after posting, he posted a message encouraging joining 'FM Korea' on the pro-Moon Jae-in community 'Ddanji Ilbo' free board, sparking so-called 'coordinate marking' controversy.

'Coordinate marking' refers to copying and widely spreading the URL links of specific articles or internet posts on online communities. Critics pointed out that Kim might have requested help from pro-government netizens through coordinate marking.

In a post titled "Senior Ddan-gay members advised me to actively communicate, so I am gathering courage," he said, "I will communicate directly on various sites including FM Korea and Everytime, and gradually do things that our party can do together."

He continued, "I will join communication channels in various communities including FM Korea, as advised by senior Ddan-gay members," and emphasized, "Everyone, please join. It’s essential."

Subsequently, FM Korea users criticized Kim, saying, "Are you mobilizing pro-Moon firepower to coordinate mark?" and "If you want to hear opinions, why not just read posts without joining?"

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, also posted on Facebook, criticizing, "Kim says he will lead his supporters into youth communities like FM Korea to communicate. How is this communication? It’s a coordinate marking attack like 'take a taste of this'."

He pointed out, "(Community) users fiercely compete to post more interesting humor and more useful information. What would happen if a celebrity suddenly appears? They can easily dominate the best posts just because they are famous, even if the post has no content."

He added, "Moreover, uncritical followers appear, ruining the community’s ecology and eventually causing its downfall. But a lawmaker leading their followers to invade like a raid is not to understand youth but to attack and destroy the community."

He then asked, "Why did such an absurd strategy come out? How much must youth be disregarded for such analysis to arise and actually be acted upon?" and urged, "Stop the Democratic Party’s attacks on youth communities immediately."

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