Shin Gyeong-min, a former member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Vice Chairman of Solidarity and Symbiosis), raised the theory of a fandom-YouTube combination, saying that the phenomenon of political fandom is appearing in combination with YouTubers.
He said that some YouTubers had asked for a large amount of money when he worked at Nak-yeon Lee’s camp two years ago, but he did not specify the case.
On the 10th, former Congressman Shin attended the ‘Solidarity and Symbiosis’ symposium ‘In the age of political panic, where should we go’ and pointed out the problem of the fandom. Former lawmaker Shin said, “The fandom has existed since before. In the past, it was combined with KakaoTalk,” he said. Combined with video,” he explained. Former Congressman Shin said, “YouTube and countless YouTubers became journalists, so to speak,” and “‘Shamanic’ level leaders appeared on YouTube. The ruling and opposition parties are all the same,” he interpreted. “These leaders, shamans on YouTube, have joined political leaders,” he said. “This is a new phenomenon and a new politics. It is also in the US and Europe, but it is very severe in Korea.”
Former Congressman Shin said, “A YouTube shaman approaches our camp and demands a large sum of money,” citing personal experience. “This is combining with the economy. If she gave me this money, she offered to broadcast for Nak-yeon Lee, but when she refused saying she had no money, she immediately started sticking a dagger behind her back.”
Former Congressman Shin said, “I can’t leave this country to YouTube shamans,” and “I can’t leave it to the fandom. We cannot leave these people to low-quality leaders who incite them.”
Former Congressman Shin said on KBS Radio on the 12th <최경영의 최강시사>Even appearing on <#>, mentioned the case that YouTubers came to Nak-yeon Lee’s camp in 2021 and tried to make a deal.
However, it did not specify the facts, such as who demanded how much and in what way. In a phone call with Media Today on the afternoon of the 12th, former lawmaker Shin said, “I know because it happened at our camp,” but “I can’t talk specifically.” He explained, “It’s not like there’s anything recorded, there’s no data, and it ended because we couldn’t pay.”
In response to the question of whether someone could claim groundless slander, former Congressman Shin said, “The person who makes such a claim is the culprit.” When asked if he had met the YouTuber in person, he said, “He came to our camp. “I didn’t meet him in person,” he replied, “I came and reported it, so I said I knew it.”
On the other hand, Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party, also criticized in the symposium opening speech on the 10th, saying, “The extreme fandom politics symbolized by the Taegeukgi and the dog daughter is a very dangerous situation.” Rep. Hong said, “I believe that the political polarization through the so-called fandom politics can be overcome through the revision of the election law,” regarding the holding of the full committee for the revision of the election law. I’d rather die than die,” he worried, saying, “There is no future in the political situation where you think to this extent.”