Political cartoon stirring controversy with South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol reappears at comic book festival

The Korea Manhwa Contents Agency has announced the inclusion of a controversial artwork titled "South Korea Yoonsukyeolcha" in a retrospective show of prize-winning works from 2021 to 2025. The artwork, created by Park Se-eun from Chonnam Arts High School, will be viewable from September 26 to 28 at the Korea Manhwa Museum.

The artwork depicts a Thomas the Tank Engine-like locomotive with Yoon's face on it being driven by his wife. Sword-wielding prosecutors who are after the couple can be seen on board the carriages. People flee in terror in front of the train, and the name of the work combines Yoon's name and the word "yeolcha", meaning train in Korean.

The artwork's depiction of a destroyed building labelled the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was a nod to Yoon's controversial presidential pledge to abolish the ministry. The ministry cancelled its sponsorship of the 2023 Bucheon International Comics Festival, and the cancellation of the sponsorship scholarships for the festival was made by the festival's organizing committee.

The artwork was initially criticised by officials in Yoon's administration, and the terms of the sponsorship stipulated that such works should be disqualified. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a warning to the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, and the criticism and cancellation were reported in the Maeil Business Newspaper.

However, the artwork's satirical nature and controversial themes persisted despite the backlash from the administration. The artwork came in second overall in the nationwide student cartoon and webtoon contest organised by the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency in 2022. The inclusion of the artwork in the festival and museum display was despite the criticism and cancellation of sponsorship.

The announcement was reported in The Korea Herald newspaper, and the artwork will be part of the retrospective show of prize-winning works from 2021 to 2025. The destroyed building labelled the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family lies in its path, which is a nod to Yoon's controversial presidential pledge to abolish the ministry.

Political cartoon stirring controversy with South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol reappears at comic book festival