A controversy has erupted after a director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation stated that the phrase "museop-no" (scary), used by Woni, a member of the idol group RESENE, in a YouTube video, is indeed an expression associated with the far-right online community Ilbe. This follows earlier public debate over whether the term was being used as an Ilbe-affiliated expression.

On July 7, a video titled "The Ilbe Controversy Sparked by 'Museop-no'" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Jang Yoon-sun's News Convenience Store."

The broadcast featured Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ju-min and lawyer Cho Su-jin, who serves as a director for the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

When asked for her thoughts on the "museop-no" controversy, Cho responded as follows:

[Voice] Cho Su-jin / Director, Roh Moo-hyun Foundation (YouTube 'Jang Yoon-sun's News Convenience Store'): I believe it is an 'Ilbe-style' expression. Given that many of the singer's previous expressions have been surfacing, and as someone from the Gyeongsang province myself, I thought it was indeed an 'Ilbe-style' expression.

She further argued, "Much like the cases involving Baejae High School and Starbucks, culture that was once in the shadows is increasingly moving into the mainstream," adding, "We have reached this point because these things were not properly addressed in the past."

Cho emphasized that "it is time to socially inform people about how horrific the origins of such expressions are."

Since the video was released, a variety of opinions have emerged on online communities regarding Cho's remarks.

One netizen criticized Cho's comments, stating, "It seems like an act that actually tarnishes the reputation of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation." Another netizen remarked, "I am not sure if this is to defend Representative Cho Kuk, but it is deplorable that someone like that holds a position at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation."

This controversy began in May when a producer at MBC Gyeongnam publicly raised the issue after Woni, a member of RESENE who is from Geoje, used the phrase "museop-no" in a YouTube content piece.

The debate has since expanded into the political sphere, with former Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok expressing opposing views on their respective social media accounts.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Jang Yujin | Graphics by Lee Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News | Source: YouTube channel 'Jang Yoon-sun's News Convenience Store'