Jung Yong-jin on Afghan Crisis: "There Are Fools Who Believe in Peace Agreements"... Removed "Fools" After Controversy Upon Request

Jung Yong-jin Shares Article on SNS Saying 'Peace Agreement Has Become Useless'

Jung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Chung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, posted a message on his social media criticizing the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan. Some have pointed out that this might be an indirect critique of the Moon Jae-in administration. As the controversy grew, he eventually edited the post.

On the 19th, Vice Chairman Chung shared an article titled "Only the U.S. military withdrew, and the peace agreement became void" on his Instagram, writing, "Historically, agreements have rarely been upheld. There are still fools who firmly believe in agreements."

The article Chung shared reported that with the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan, the peace agreement signed last year between the Trump administration and the Taliban has effectively become obsolete.

Some suggested that the post was aimed at the Moon Jae-in administration, which was pursuing a peace agreement with North Korea.

Photo by Jeong Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, Instagram screen capture.

As the controversy intensified, Vice Chairman Chung edited the post two hours later, removing the word "fools."

He revised the post to say, "There has never been a peace agreement that did not become void. Historically, agreements have rarely been upheld. Let's not trust agreements." He added, "Edited the post upon request."

Previously, Vice Chairman Chung stirred controversy by repeatedly posting the phrase "Sorry and thank you," which President Moon Jae-in wrote in remembrance of the Sewol ferry victims, on Instagram. When the phrase became controversial, he later changed it to "OOOO OOO" and "Sorry and thank you," among others.

As criticism from President Moon's supporters escalated, Vice Chairman Chung stated in June, "The PR director told me not to say things that could be misunderstood," and promised to refrain from making potentially problematic remarks.

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