After a devastating plane crash in South Korea last December left 22-year-old Park Guen-woo orphaned, he encountered a wave of online backlash, including abuse, conspiracy theories, and cruel jokes targeting the victims. The incident involved a Jeju Air plane returning from Bangkok, Thailand, which crash-landed at Muan International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 179 out of 181 passengers on board.
In response to the online harassment, authorities have identified and detained eight individuals for posting derogatory and defamatory content. These posts included false claims that families were happy about receiving compensation or that they were fabricating their grief. The authorities have removed at least 427 such posts.
Sadly, this is not an isolated case in South Korea, as bereaved families have previously been subjected to similar mistreatment online. Experts attribute this behavior to societal issues such as economic struggles, jealousy, and a culture of fierce competition.
Instances like the 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Seoul and the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, where victims and their families were also targeted with hate speech, exemplify this troubling trend. The high compensation provided to families of the Sewol ferry victims was met with criticism, with some arguing that it was excessive.
Professor Koo Jeong-woo explained that economic pressures and a competitive job market in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic have contributed to social isolation and increased hate speech. He noted that many South Koreans tend to view others as rivals rather than peers, fostering a culture of comparison and disparagement.
Park described how families of the Jeju Air crash victims were unfairly labeled as “parasites wasting national funds,” pointing to malicious comments insinuating that relief donations were misused taxpayer money. Despite the tragedy and compensation received, the families faced unwarranted scrutiny and judgment from online commentators.
The insensitive remarks and false accusations have taken a toll on the families, highlighting the need for greater empathy and understanding in online discourse surrounding such tragedies.
In the aftermath of the tragic Jeju Air crash, families of the victims have been facing not only the pain of their loss but also the onslaught of online hate and baseless accusations. The grief-stricken loved ones are grappling with the insensitivity and cruelty of individuals who exploit their suffering for entertainment or political gain.
Joshua Uyheng, a respected psychology professor in the Philippines specializing in online hate, sheds light on the motivation behind such vitriol. He explains that hate often stems from a perceived imbalance where individuals feel they are being disadvantaged in some way. This sense of injustice can fuel resentment and lead to the scapegoating of others.
The political landscape in South Korea further complicates the situation following the crash. Against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil due to the controversial decision to enact martial law by suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, the tragedy has become ensnared in a web of political finger-pointing and blame-shifting.
Supporters of President Yoon’s People Power Party have been quick to lay the fault at the feet of the main opposition Democratic Party, despite lacking concrete evidence. The construction of Muan Airport under a political promise by the DP has been twisted into a narrative of culpability, with accusations flying unchecked in the online sphere.
For Park Han-shin, who lost his brother in the crash, the grief is compounded by baseless accusations of being a political plant and a fraud. His daughter, alarmed by the spread of misinformation, took to social media to defend her father’s honor and integrity. The relentless attacks on their family not only deepen their pain but also raise concerns about the impact of such falsehoods on their lives.
In the midst of this sea of hatred and distrust, there are calls for social media platforms to take a stand against hate speech and malicious content. Experts emphasize the need for clear policies on reporting and removing harmful posts, as well as accountability for those who perpetuate online vitriol.
Professor Uyheng suggests that fostering a sense of shared humanity and common identity may be a crucial step towards combating the toxic culture of online hate. By promoting empathy and understanding, individuals can come together to support one another in times of tragedy rather than tearing each other down in pursuit of personal agendas.
As the families of the Jeju Air crash victims navigate through their grief and the onslaught of online hatred, they serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of callousness and misinformation. In their quest for truth and justice, they stand as beacons of resilience and dignity in the face of adversity.
