Yoon Seoin, This Time Disparaging Ahn Junggeun... "You'd Think He Was a Soldier"

"Descendant of Independence Activist Mocked" Yoon Seo-in Shares Ministry of National Defense Post Claiming "Obsessed with Anti-Japan"

A post shared by Yoon Seoin on his Facebook on the 17th. / Photo by Yoon Seoin

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Webtoon artist Yoon Seoin, who was handed over to the prosecution on charges of mocking descendants of independence activists, has sparked controversy by posting a disparaging comment about An Jung-geun four months after being sued.

On the 17th, Yoon Seoin shared a post from the Ministry of National Defense on his Facebook page commemorating the Day of the Patriotic Martyrs on November 17th, writing, "One might think An Jung-geun was a soldier." He then sarcastically added, "Ignoring the countless patriotic martyrs and soldiers of the Republic of Korea who fought against North Korea, the 'Northern Ministry of Defense' crazy about anti-Japan is suddenly bringing up An Jung-geun, who has nothing to do with the Korean military."

On that day, the Ministry of National Defense's Facebook page posted a message stating, "Our military will once again reflect on the noble spirit of An Jung-geun and always do its best to realize peace for the people based on strong national defense."

The Ministry of National Defense attached an image of An Jung-geun’s calligraphy, 'Wiguk Heonsin Gunin Bonbun' (It is the duty of a soldier to devote himself to the country). This brushwork was left by An Jung-geun in the Lushun Prison in China, and 26 of these pieces have been designated as national treasures.

The Republic of Korea Army recognizes An Jung-geun’s military status based on his claims made in court and refers to him as a general. This is because An Jung-geun revealed his identity as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Korean Righteous Army and Commander of the Special Independence Corps during the Japanese court trial.

Meanwhile, Yoon Seoin is currently under prosecution for defamation of the descendants of independence activists. In January, Yoon posted a photo and text on Facebook comparing the "House of Pro-Japanese Descendants" and the "House of Independence Activist Descendants," mocking, "While the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators work hard, what exactly have the descendants of independence activists done?"

In response, 463 descendants of independence activists and the Civic Group for Judicial Exam Preparation filed a defamation and insult complaint against Yoon Seoin at the Suseo Police Station in Seoul in July. The police dismissed the insult charge but found the defamation charge valid and forwarded the case with a prosecution recommendation, resulting in Yoon being sent to the prosecution in September.

Attorney Jeong Cheolseung, representing the plaintiffs, said, "The gates of hell have opened for Yoon Seoin," adding, "Watching Yoon Seoin, I was surprised and somewhat amused, thinking, 'Is there really such a foolish person in the world?'"

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