Novelist Gong Ji-young’s fuss

Novelist Gong Ji-young took a tour to seven European countries accompanied by the head of a publishing company in 2011. Eurail Group, the European railway operator, paid 17 million won (15,500 dollars) for her travel costs, including airfare and a first-class Eurail Pass ticket through its PR agency in Korea. She made a promise through the publisher that she “will publish a travel essay book after the tour.” Two months later, Gong announced a plan to publish her travel essay book at a forum. However, the book was not published. The Korean PR firm filed lawsuit against her as defendant. The lower court ruled that Gong and the publisher jointly should make compensation, but the appellate court did not hold Gong responsible for compensation, citing lack of evidence. However, Gong clearly failed to keep her promise after enjoying the tour.

This time, Gong herself is serving as plaintiff. She filed a lawsuit with the prosecution against seven netizens, saying that the latter constantly slandered her on the Internet by using such words as ‘evil,’ and ‘slut.’ The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy has also started supporting her suit. The party says that the acts constitute clear violation of law and it is inevitable for Gong to file suit against the people. The joint bid by Gong and the party is a far cry from their own practice in ordinary times, when they would emphasize the freedom of speech.

Gong also has the right to be protected, but some people seemingly do not sympathize with Gong for the suit. The reason behind this is ‘arrows of words’ she herself has lashed out en masse thus far. On the Constitutional Court’s ruling that ordered the dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party, Gong said, ‘Even death row inmates who were like barbarians once in the past are better than you (justices).’ She even once likened President Park Geun-hye to the ‘Nazis’. The targets of her attacks are mostly conservatives.

Gong’s fans mostly turned their back to her acts. She would make a comeback in just five days after declaring to stop writing Twitter posts, and kick off prayers of fasting, saying, “They should stop self-tormenting act such as fasting.” But herself tried to fast, claiming, “Moon Jae-in should become the president.” While criticizing the ruling Saenuri Party, she tried to protect then NPAD candidate Kwon Eun-hee who ran in the by-elections in July after blowing whistle against the government, by saying, “The election is not meant to elect a woman saint.” Remarks by Gong with 830,000 followers spread instantly through the Internet. The more widely her fuss and acts of incompatibility expand, the more damage the progressive side stands to suffer due to negative image. Does NPAD know this fact when it is siding with her?