"Starbucks Prepayment in Jamsil" ... Celebrities Pressured to Take a Stand on 'Election Fraud' Over Ballot Shortage

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\r\n[Financial News]  As protests continue near the Jamsil counting center over a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, some celebrities are facing a flood of social networking service (SNS) comments demanding that they take a political stance. The people behind the comments are calling on celebrities who previously spoke out or donated during rallies calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol or during the 2024 South Korean martial law crisis to also speak up about this ballot shortage.
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Recent comments on actor Park Bo-young's SNS urged her to make a statement about the protest blocking the Jamsil counting center. Some users asked for her political views, saying, "You spoke out during Martial Law, so why are you silent this time?" and "Please speak up about democracy and voting rights too."
On the 7th, Park Bo-young responded through a fan communication platform, saying, "I like you a lot too. Have a good day today," before adding, "I found out through Bubble. Those weird people. So don't worry. It doesn't affect me much." While she did not directly address the controversy, her remarks were interpreted as a sign that she would not be shaken by the online attacks against her.
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The barrage of comments is not limited to Park Bo-young. Actor Zo In-sung also received comments on his SNS along the lines of, "You spoke out on impeachment, so why are you silent about this issue?" The comments revived his past remarks on a broadcast, where he said that he had struggled with a surging exchange rate while filming overseas during the December 3, 2024 South Korean martial law crisis.
Singer and actor IU was no exception.
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\r\nComments included, "Please prepay Starbucks for the protesters in Jamsil," and "People gathered in Jamsil because of election fraud. Will you prepay for them?" The remarks referred to IU's previous support for participants in the 2024 rally calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, when she prepaid drinks and meals at restaurants near Yeouido.
Similar comments also appeared on the SNS accounts of actor Lee Dong-wook and Girls' Generation's Kwon Yu-ri, asking why they were not speaking out on the current situation and accusing them of turning away from the Jamsil voting controversy. Both have previously shown support or donated in connection with social issues.
The latest controversy stems from an incident during the main voting process of the 9th nationwide local elections on the 3rd, when some polling stations in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Gwangjin District, Seoul, and Songpa District, Seoul ran short of ballots, forcing voters to wait for long periods. A protest later took place at Jamsil 7-dong No. 2 Polling Station, Songpa-gu, calling for a revote and a halt to the count. As a result, the removal of ballot boxes was delayed, and rallies have continued for the third day around the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Jamsil.
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y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter