Caricature of Korean President, controversy in South Korea ... “Inappropriate vs Freedom”

At the street exhibition commemorating the 42nd anniversary of the May 18th Democratic Movement (Gwangju Uprising), a picture that satirized the successive administrations with South Korean President Yoon Seok-you was exhibited.

In particular, there were protests with somewhat explicit depictions, such as engraving the word "King" on the palm and forehead of President Yoon and not drawing his jacket.

The street exhibition will be held from May 7th to 30th at the Democratic Square on 5-18, Dong-gu, Gwangju, under the supervision of the Gwangju City Branch of the Association of Ethnic Artists.

It is reported that Gwangju City handed over 21.6 million won (about US$20,000) to this exhibition under the name of "5-18 Shenyang Business Private Ordinary Business Subsidy".

In the work "multistep" exhibited at this place, a man reminiscent of President Yoon sits with his crotch open while wearing only bottoms.

"Political retaliation" is written on the sash that was hung at the same time, and the word "King" is engraved on the palm and forehead.

In addition to President Yoon, Han Dong-hoon, a candidate for the Secretary of Justice, religious figures such as Lee Man-hee, a new heavenly gurus, Park Jung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan military dictatorship and conglomerate, Also on display are pictures of opposition officials such as Cho Kuk, the former Minister of Justice.

The painter described it in five layers with the motif of "capitalist class map". He explained his intention, saying that the top layer is royal government (we rule you), the second layer is religion (we poor you), the third is military personnel (we shoot you), the fourth is the middle class (we eat for you), and the last is "we work for all".

However, the reaction was various among the citizens. While admitting freedom of expression and being evaluated as "easy to understand and satire was successful," it was controversial to overly caricature the incumbent president.

Protests came in from the political and religious sides, but the exhibition organizer said, "We used the expression that the artist reinterpreted this society from the perspective of 5-18 and drew it as he thought. I think we have to respect it very much, "said Channel A.

However, after a series of criticisms, Gwangju City was known to have removed the city's name from its sponsorship.