Pocheon City has stated its position regarding the request for the dismissal of Lim Young-woong as an ambassador amid the ‘DM (Direct Message) controversy’.
A Pocheon City official said on the 18th to Maeil Business Star Today, “As a result of reviewing the Pocheon City ambassador operation ordinance, (in Lim Young-woong's case) it does not constitute a reason for dismissal. The ambassador position will be maintained.”
The controversy began when Lim Young-woong posted a birthday celebration for his pet dog on his social media on the 7th. A netizen who saw the post sent him a DM criticizing, “What are you doing in this situation?” to which Lim Young-woong reportedly replied, “What?”
The publicly shared screenshot shows a response from an account presumed to be Lim Young-woong’s, saying, “Am I a politician? Why should I speak up?” in response to a comment stating, “The whole nation is gathered over the impeachment motion against the president who declared martial law unconstitutionally. I don’t expect you to raise your voice, but it’s really insensitive. Aren’t the people who experienced martial law in your main consumer demographic?”
As this conversation was made public online, there were criticisms that posting everyday photos during a chaotic time due to the National Assembly vote on the president's impeachment motion was reckless, while others argued for the freedom not to make political statements.
Amid the ongoing controversy, a citizen filed a complaint through the National Petition Service urging Pocheon City to review the dismissal of Lim Young-woong as an ambassador. However, Pocheon City determined that Lim Young-woong's case does not constitute a reason for dismissal.
Meanwhile, Lim Young-woong's agency, Fish Music, has not made any statement regarding the DM controversy.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
