Online Hate Targeting Victims' Families of Jeju Air Crash Raises Alarm in South Korea

Families of the victims of a tragic plane crash in South Korea are grappling with not only their grief but also a wave of online hostility, with accusations ranging from being "fake victims" to receiving undue compensation. Experts suggest that a culture of economic envy and political division exacerbates such hate speech, calling for urgent measures to foster empathy and tackle online abuse.

 
The tragic fallout from the Jeju Air plane crash, which claimed 179 lives in December, has deepened as families mourn their lost ones, facing a relentless tide of online abuse in the process. Park Guen-woo, an orphaned 22-year-old who lost both parents in the crash, finds himself battling not only his grief but also heinous comments branding bereaved families as “fake victims.”

The Jeju Air flight, returning from Bangkok, crashed at Muan International Airport after misjudging the runway. In the wake of this catastrophe, social media has become a breeding ground for malicious conspiracies and hurtful jokes directed at the victims and their families. Investigations by law enforcement have already led to the detention of eight individuals implicated in spreading harmful narratives online. Despite these actions, at least 427 hateful posts have been removed, allowing the negative sentiment to linger on digital platforms.

Experts attribute this troubling phenomenon to a broader cultural environment in South Korea, where economic struggles and societal competition often incite derogatory behavior. This mirrors past disasters, like the 2022 Halloween crowd crush, where families of victims were similarly ridiculed. Follow-up indicators suggest that financial resentment and envy play significant roles in diminishing empathy towards bereaved families. “When people perceive others as gaining advantages at their expense, they develop feelings of animosity towards those individuals,” stated Joshua Uyheng, a psychologist studying online hate.

Victims’ relatives, including Mr. Park, expressed their outrage over how public perceptions frame them as “parasites exploiting the nation’s funds,” especially after a relief fund was established. Such sentiments were echoed in comments suggesting that victims’ families must feel elated by compensation when, in reality, it is merely a grim reminder of their loss. “Every remark is a dagger to our hearts; we are not here for money,” Mr. Park said, highlighting the emotional toll of both loss and online mischaracterization.

Moreover, the political backdrop has intensified these dynamics. With ongoing turmoil surrounding the presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol, unfounded blame for the crash has been thrust upon opposition groups, further polarizing the narrative and engendering animosity. Park Han-shin, who lost a brother in the incident, has been personally attacked online, accused of being disingenuous regarding his loss, prompting his daughter to appeal for understanding on social media. “Seeing my father maligned is heartbreaking; he just seeks the truth,” she stated poignantly.

In light of the surging tide of hatred toward victims and their families, experts are advocating for stringent policies from social media platforms to delineate and regulate hate speech while promoting mental well-being. “Encouraging users to report abusive content effectively could mitigate this atmosphere,” emphasizes Professor Koo from Sungkyunkwan University. Furthermore, invoking a sense of common humanity may nurture empathy over vitriol, suggesting that collective grief should unite rather than divide us.