Employees at Jeonnam Provincial Office Welcome Moon: "Space Handsome, Milky Complexion Moon Jae-in"

Published 06 Feb.2021 15:28(KST)

On the afternoon of the 5th, after the 'World's Largest Offshore Wind Farm 48 Trillion Investment Agreement Ceremony,' President Moon Jae-in was warmly welcomed by Jeonnam Provincial Office employees when he visited a traditional market. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] Criticism is rising over the 'excessive protocol' shown to the civil servants of the Jeonnam Provincial Office who welcomed President Moon Jae-in during his visit to Sinan-gun, Jeonnam Province on the 5th.

On that day, after attending the '48 trillion won investment agreement ceremony for the world's largest offshore wind power complex' held at Imja Bridge in Jido-eup, Sinan-gun, Jeonnam, President Moon visited a nearby traditional market.

About ten employees from the Jeonnam Provincial Office welcomed President Moon with banners and placards expressing affection for the president in front of the traditional market. They also personally handed him bouquets and took commemorative photos.

The placards made by the provincial office staff included phrases such as "Did you know? I like oysters. Moon Jae-in's face," "Moon Jae-in, you are a deer. My heart is a deer antler," and "Moon Jae-in, not really. You are the star (星) of my heart." The banners also contained messages like "Mr. President, you are our happiness" and "Nice to see you again."

Some netizens who saw this criticized it, saying, "It looks like North Korean protocol," "Clearly excessive protocol," and "It's shocking that civil servants acted like that."

There were also criticisms that the protocol was excessive during a time when COVID-19 quarantine measures were strict. It was considered inappropriate to suddenly shower the president with compliments about his appearance at a time when he was consoling merchants struggling due to COVID-19.

There was also criticism that the civil servants did not follow the government's ban on gatherings of more than five people due to COVID-19. One netizen said, "This was not an action absolutely necessary for work, and many people do not go to their hometowns during Lunar New Year, so seeing dozens of people gathered to welcome the president does not look good."