The Ripple Effect of CCTV Release: Park Wi Ultimately Resigns Voluntarily as Seoul Metropolitan Government Ambassador

[Financial News] Park Wi, a YouTuber and broadcaster who drew controversy after releasing CCTV footage of a KTX fall accident, has decided to step down as a public relations ambassador for Seoul Metropolitan Government.
According to Yonhap News Agency on the 27th, Park Wi recently informed Seoul Metropolitan Government of his intention to resign from the ambassador role.
Park had been serving as a public relations ambassador for Seoul Metropolitan Government since June 17 last year. His term was two years and was set to run until June next year.
However, on the 21st, Park Wi stirred controversy after uploading a video titled "The Reason I Released the CCTV Footage" to his YouTube channel, Weracle.
The video described an accident that occurred on the 14th, when Park Wi took the KTX-Sancheon to give a lecture and, while coming down a ramp with a wheelchair lift after getting off, his wheel caught on the foot of a Social Service Agent. As a result, his body was thrown out of the wheelchair and he fell to the floor.
He also released CCTV footage of the incident and said, "The Social Service Agent did not do it intentionally, but I was angry that his foot was on the ramp in the first place. Of course, he politely apologized to me, but in that moment, I could not accept it."
Public reaction, however, was cold. Critics argued that he may have intended to publicly shame the Social Service Agent over a mistake. Since the agent had already apologized at the scene and there was no intent behind the accident, criticism grew that releasing CCTV footage that could identify the individual and turning it into a public issue was excessive. Park Wi eventually deleted the video and apologized.
He said, "I viewed the mistake that occurred while they were trying to help me better as something negative." He added, "My way of conveying the situation was immature, and I did not think it through. I apologize to everyone who worked hard at the scene."
Still, the controversy showed little sign of fading. Scheduled lectures and talk concerts were canceled one after another, and complaints were filed with Seoul Metropolitan Government requesting that Park be removed from his ambassador post. As of 6 a.m. on the 28th, Park Wi's YouTube channel, which once had more than 1 million subscribers, had fallen to 965,000.
In the end, Park Wi decided to give up the ambassador role on his own.
Meanwhile, Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to proceed with follow-up procedures in respect of Park's wishes.
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter