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🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

YouTuber's 'Second Itaewon Disaster' Claim Sparks Outrage, Calls for Investigation

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Far-right YouTuber Jeon Han-gil suggested that the current government could create a "second Itaewon disaster" through a violent crackdown on protesters.
  • The Democratic Party condemned his remarks as "parricidal delusion" and called for an immediate police investigation, labeling his conspiracy theories as slander and defamation.
  • Jeon's comments, made during a protest regarding ballot shortages, included claims of the government inciting violence and fabricating evidence to blame protesters.

Far-right YouTuber Jeon Han-gil has sparked outrage with his recent remarks suggesting the current government could engineer a "second Itaewon disaster." The comments were made during a YouTube live broadcast on July 12, while Jeon was participating in a protest against ballot shortages for the June local elections.

The government could create a 'second Itaewon disaster'.

— Jeon Han-gilA far-right YouTuber suggesting the current government might cause a large-scale tragedy.

The Democratic Party vehemently denounced Jeon's statements as "parricidal delusion" and demanded an immediate police investigation. Party spokesperson Boo Seung-chan stated that Jeon's "fabrication" about the government potentially orchestrating a violent crackdown on citizens protesting ballot shortages, and his subsequent claim of a "second Itaewon disaster," were unforgivable.

"Using the tragedy that claimed 159 lives as material for political delusion is parricidal in itself," Boo said in a written briefing on July 14. Jeon had alleged during his broadcast that the government might set fire to the venue and falsely blame the protesters, or incite a brawl among protesters to create an excuse for police intervention, leading to a "second Itaewon disaster" where people are crushed in a stampede.

Parricidal delusion.

— Boo Seung-chanDemocratic Party spokesperson's description of Jeon Han-gil's remarks.

Boo further accused Jeon of defamation and spreading serious false information by falsely accusing the government and the Democratic Party of intending to use lethal force. "Spreading such claims at a gathering of people can increase the risk of an actual disaster. The responsibility for this is by no means light," Boo warned.

Using the tragedy that claimed 159 lives as material for political delusion is parricidal in itself.

— Boo Seung-chanDemocratic Party spokesperson criticizing Jeon Han-gil's use of the Itaewon disaster.

The Democratic Party urged the police to investigate Jeon thoroughly and hold him accountable. They also issued a stern warning against any similar conspiracy theories, vowing not to tolerate any provocations that threaten citizens' lives.

Spreading such claims at a gathering of people can increase the risk of an actual disaster. The responsibility for this is by no means light.

— Boo Seung-chanDemocratic Party spokesperson warning about the potential real-world consequences of Jeon's statements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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