Jin Joong-kwon: "慰問 Letters Are Remnants of Japanese Colonial Rule"... Mokdong Academy Director, Controversy Over Expulsion from 'OO Girls' High School'

Jin Joong-kwon: "I Write 'Rest in Peace' in Consolation Letters"

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. /Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized the controversy over the "mocking慰問 letters to soldiers," calling it "a remnant of Japanese colonial rule."

On the 13th, Jin wrote on Facebook, "At that time, the state forcibly made慰問 teams and慰問 letters to the imperial army at the front lines. I am surprised that this culture still remains," he said.

He continued, "During elementary school, we were forced to write慰問 letters to the Republic of Korea soldiers at school," recalling, "My older sisters laughed so hard when they saw it." Jin said he wrote, "To the soldiers dispatched to the front lines (omitted)... Lastly, I pray for your soul."

Earlier, on the 12th, a慰問 letter sent to soldiers by a second-year female high school student in Seoul was revealed on an online community with the caption, "A friend asked me to upload this."

In the letter, the student wrote, "Thank you for working hard for the country in the cold weather. Is military life hard? Still, live diligently^^ There will be many hardships in life ahead, but isn't overcoming this much what makes a man?" She also added, "Please work hard to clear the snow when it snows in the cold^^," which sparked controversy for mocking the soldiers.

Another controversy arose over the issue of "forcing慰問 letters." On the 12th, a petition titled "Please ban forced慰問 letters at girls' high schools" was posted on the Blue House's National Petition site.

The petitioner stated, "The注意事項 (precautions) distributed to OO Girls' High School students clearly say, 'Exposing personal information can cause serious harm,'" and added, "I believe you understand how inappropriate it is for underage female students to be forced to write慰問 letters comforting adult men."

Photo by Director's Instagram capture

Meanwhile, on the 12th, Mr. A, the director of a large academy in Mok-dong, posted on his Instagram a photo of the controversial慰問 letter, saying, "I have seen the level of OO Girls' High School," and announced that he would expel all currently enrolled students of OO Girls' High School.

Mr. A shared慰問 letters from other schools as good examples and wrote, "I deeply appreciate the female high school students who慰問 the Republic of Korea soldiers who sacrificed their precious time, body, and mind for the country," adding, "A school with students of such character is a prestigious school."

This sparked negative reactions. Netizens responded with comments such as, "Not all Jinmyeong Girls' High School students are like that; this is excessive," "What will they explain to parents when expelling students?" and "Is it right to expel innocent students based on just one慰問 letter?"

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