"SNS Editing and Deleting" ... Vice Chairman Jeong Yong-jin Steps Up to Quell 'Myeolgong' Controversy

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Jeong Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, who had been embroiled in controversy over repeated 'Myeolgong' (Anti-Communism) remarks, has attempted to calm the situation by deleting some posts on his social networking service (SNS). As his remarks expanded beyond online discussions to political issues and even sparked boycott movements among some consumers, he expressed his intention to "no longer make (controversial) statements."

On the morning of the 11th, Vice Chairman Jeong posted an image on his Instagram containing the phrase "Boycott Jeong Yong-jin, we will not go, we will not buy." This image is a parody of the 'No Japan' poster from the 2019 Japanese boycott movement and is presumed to have been created by netizens advocating a boycott of Shinsegae following the controversy over Jeong's 'Myeolgong' remarks.

Initially, Jeong wrote "Please refer to this for work" on the post but later changed it to "Who says to refer to this for work?" A Shinsegae official explained, "The group's PR officer reported the situation to Vice Chairman Jeong and delivered the image, and Jeong himself posted it with the intention of self-deprecating humor, but it caused misunderstandings." The official added, "Please understand that this expresses his intention to no longer make statements that could cause controversy."

Jeong also deleted another post he uploaded that morning. He had posted a screenshot of a news article reporting that North Korea launched a projectile presumed to be a ballistic missile into the East Sea, with the caption '○○,' which sparked controversy as it was interpreted to mean the word 'Myeolgong.'

Earlier, as the 'Myeolgong' controversy spread to the political sphere and owner risk was raised, Jeong reportedly stated, "I will no longer make remarks related to Myeolgong."

Previously, on the 6th, Jeong posted an article featuring a photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping on his Instagram, along with hashtags such as 'Myeolgong,' 'Air Defense and Counterintelligence,' and 'Victory and Unification.' After the controversy escalated, he deleted the post and uploaded a photo of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, explaining that his 'Myeolgong' was aimed not at China but at "those living above us" (North Korea).

However, the controversy further expanded into the political arena when Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, visited Emart on the 8th and posted a photo purchasing anchovies and beans, which evoked the 'Myeolgong' phrase. Subsequently, on the 10th, Shinsegae's stock price fell 6.80% in a single day in the securities market, and numerous posts calling for boycotts of Shinsegae Group affiliates such as Starbucks and Emart began circulating online.

On the same day, Vice Chairman Jeong posted on Instagram, "If the sense to calculate that my everyday language can be used politically, and the quick wit to know where to tie my shoelaces, are the traits of a businessman... I will cultivate them," which led to interpretations that he was trying to manage the situation related to the controversy.

Meanwhile, as of the 11th, Jeong continues his SNS activities by posting photos such as one with Kim Taek-jin, Chairman of NCSoft, captioned "We promised to meet at the Korean Series," and daily life posts like "Eating Harim Gourmet Master Ramen."

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