Vice Chairman Jeong Yong-jin Tastes 'Gordon Ramsay Burger' "Enjoying Incredible Freedom"

Visit to Competitor Lotte World Mall Store... "As Expected, Lotte is Lotte"
Using 'Myeolko' Hashtag Instead of 'Myeolgong'... Expressing Discomfort with Political Interpretations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Jeong Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, who has been embroiled in controversy over repeated 'anti-communism' remarks, recently posted a photo on social networking service (SNS) visiting 'Gordon Ramsay Burger' located in a competitor, Lotte.

On the 9th, Vice Chairman Jeong uploaded a photo taken at the entrance of Lotte Department Store Avenuel Jamsil branch in Songpa-gu, Seoul, writing, "As expected, Lotte is Lotte." He also posted a video showing himself ordering and eating several burgers with the caption, "Went to Lotte and ate a 31,000 won Gordon Ramsay Burger."

Gordon Ramsay Burger, a premium handmade burger brand that officially opened on the 7th inside Lotte World Mall, became a hot topic as many people lined up to taste it despite the high price of over 20,000 to 30,000 won per burger. Vice Chairman Jeong, who operates the cost-effective 'No Brand Burger' through his affiliate Shinsegae Food, also visited a competitor to personally experience and evaluate the Gordon Ramsay Burger craze. Last year, he showed his emphasis on on-site management by visiting competitors such as Hyundai Department Store Pangyo branch and The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido.

Amid the recent controversy over the 'eradicate communism' remarks spreading into the political sphere, Vice Chairman Jeong used the hashtag 'Myeolko' (eradicate COVID) instead of 'Myeolgong' (eradicate communism) on this day. He wrote, "Today I enjoyed tremendous freedom. What does freedom mean and value to me? Let's eradicate COVID."

Earlier that day, in another Instagram post uploaded at dawn, along with a photo of a cake with the words 'Number One No Back' written on it, he wrote, "My anti-communism is solely directed at those above who threaten us (North Korea). Instead of criticizing me, let's all stop fighting left and right and shout anti-communism together. That is the great harmony the people desire."

He also released a video showing himself writing the Chinese characters for 'Business for the Nation, Fisheries for the Nation.' Known as the founding philosophy of Samsung Group's founder Ho-Am Lee Byung-chul, 'Business for the Nation' means building a company to contribute to the country. This can be seen as his response to the controversy surrounding his anti-communism remarks in both ruling and opposition political circles.

In another post uploaded on Instagram the previous day, Vice Chairman Jeong seemed to feel burdened by linking his corporate activities with his remarks, adding the hashtag 'I am an individual.'

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