Controversy rising over government's 'double-standards'
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a meeting among leaders of the executive, legislative and judicial branch and the National Election Commission held at Cheong Wa Dae, last Tuesday. Yonhap
By Jung Da-min
A controversy is rising over whether the government's preventive and quarantine measures to contain any further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are being applied impartially to everyone. Some figures in the ruling bloc have recently been criticized for inappropriate behavior that is not in line with government guidelines.
Moon Joon-yong, an artist and the son of President Moon Jae-in, in particular faced criticism for receiving 14 million-won ($12,700) in relief funding from a foundation affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and holding a solo exhibition from Dec. 17 to 23, which far-right YouTubers claimed was “special treatment” given to him because of his father.
The exhibition was held in accordance with COVID-19 containment measures, but members of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) asked if it was necessary to hold such an exhibition amid the worsening pandemic. They especially criticized the younger Moon for applying for and receiving the relief funds when there are other artists who need the funding more.
“The fact that the President's son received government support as a victim of the COVID-19 situation needs to be reviewed from two aspects. First, if it was proper behavior, and second, whether the foundation's evaluation standards and results were appropriate in terms of procedural justification,” said Lee Hye-hoon, a former three-term lawmaker with the PPP who declared her bid to run in next April's Seoul mayoral election, on Facebook last week.
Following the criticism, Moon Joon-yong said on Facebook that the support fund he applied for was not for artists in a poor financial situation who could apply for separate funding, but money set aside for holding an exhibition or producing a work of art, and would go to galleries, curators, technicians or other artists he works with.
But criticism continued from members of the conservative opposition who said the Moon Jae-in government's “double-standards” in carrying out policies or guidelines related to COVID-19 were frustrating the public.
Criticism for inappropriate behavior during the pandemic has also been levelled against lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).
Rep. Youn Mee-hyang, a former leader of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issue of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan was lambasted for holding a dinner gathering over wine at a cafeteria amid tightened social distancing regulations.
Adding to the criticism against Youn was her explanation that she was celebrating the birthday of Gil Won-wok, a survivor of Japan's wartime sexual slavery before and during World War II, despite Gil not being present, and at a time when Youn is on trial for misusing funds raised to support sexual slavery victims including Gil.
DPK Chairman Lee Nak-yon's visit to the tomb of former President Roh Moo-hyun in Gimhae, Gyeongnam Province, in early October during the Chuseok holiday also received criticism as many people gathered there to meet with him. Lee had earlier issued a message to people to refrain from visiting their hometowns to prevent any further spread of COVID-19.