SEOUL: South Korean netizens with politically conservative inclinations are encouraging one another to file online reports to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) against K-pop star IU and other celebrities, who publicly supported protests calling for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment.
The anonymous users have posted screenshots of their reports to the US federal agency that collects and analyses foreign intelligence.
“IU can’t go to America now,” read the title of an anonymous post online on a website called DC Inside, with the writer accusing the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea of being secretly backed by China and claimed that IU was actively supporting communist forces.
The users on the controversial website encouraged others to follow suit, sharing a purported list of celebrities who publicly supported Yoon’s impeachment. Some of them said reporting the celebrities as spies would trigger investigations, making it difficult for them to visit or work in the US.
They have also called for a boycott of products sold by companies endorsed by IU and other celebrities, sharing a list of the brands.
The 31-year-old IU, who is one of South Korea’s most influential pop stars, recently paid for heat packs, as well as 100 portions each of hot food items – such as bread, drinks, beef bone soup and rice cakes – to people taking part in the protests against the president.
Her agency Edam Entertainment said in an official fan-site post on Dec 13 that the singer wanted to provide warmth to Uaena – the name given to IU fans – who would be attending the protests in the cold winter weather.
Other celebrities who have come under fire for their political views include singer Lee Chae-yeon, a former member of the girl group Iz*One. On Dec 7, while discussing the protests on a fan communication platform, she challenged the notion that celebrities should keep quiet about politics.
She wrote: “As a citizen and a member of society, I’ll decide for myself when and what to speak out about.”
Yoon faces an impeachment trial and criminal investigation on charges of insurrection for his martial law decree on Dec 3, the first time in over 40 years that martial law has been declared in the country.
Military commanders and government officials revealed that he had ordered the arrests of prominent political figures and his outspoken critics. He also sent troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission, with the latter possibly linked to his claim that the past two parliamentary elections – which his party lost – were rigged. - The Korea Herald/ANN
