Ahn –– master of ambiguity

Ahn Cheol-soo, right, dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at Seoul National University, speaks at the Kumoh National Institute of Technology in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, Sept. 11, 2011. / Korea Times file

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Ahn Cheol-soo’s description of his father-in-law as a poor farmer hit hard by Typhoon Bolaven has earned him the nickname “Mr. Bongdae” among some netizens referring to a person who overstates things to curry favor with his audience.

It comes in response to comments the Seoul National University (SNU) professor made during a meeting with farmers based in the small central eastern farming community of Hongsung late last month.

“(Like you farmers), my father-in-law grows vegetables in a windproof vinyl greenhouse (in the southwestern port city of Yeosu). I heard from him recently that his farm was ruined after the strong Typhoon Bolaven devastated the region,” Ahn said. “I was really sorry that I couldn’t visit him after the typhoon.”

Some farmers posted the conversation with the potential presidential candidate after Ahn visited the area without informing the media of his schedule in advance.

After this, Ahn drew a barrage of sarcastic responses from bloggers as he wrongfully described the profession of his father-in-law, and the damage that he suffered. It is not clear whether he did this intentionally or not.

Ahn’s father-in-law, Kim Woo-hyun, is not a farmer. According to media reports, Kim, a Seoul native, has resided in a waterfront area of Yeosu since 1992. The 78-year-old once owned a brewery there but now retired. Kim grows vegetables in his small backyard.

Some bloggers with knowledge of Kim and his house said a corner of his backyard was covered with vinyl to protect vegetables from the wind but the small tiny cover disappeared after Bolaven brought torrential rain and strong winds.

An Internet user, Samrihwa, said no one calls a person who raises vegetables in their garden as a hobby a farmer. “If we call such a man a farmer, we should also call those who grow vegetables in flower beds farmers, too,” he said.

Another blogger, Imunik, suggested that Internet users call Ahn “Mr. Bongdae” from now on as he seems he will overstate anything if necessary to woo voters.

Yoo Min-young, a spokesman for Ahn, declined to comment on the allegations.

He told the Korea Times over the phone that Ahn’s remarks need to be understood in the context that he addressed concerns about the typhoon damage and farmers as they have gone through income loss and other negative material consequences following the typhoon.

Despite this, some bloggers considered Ahn’s behavior intentional as this is not the first he has done so.

Earlier, Ahn’s remarks about the period he lived in rented accommodation drew criticism. In the recent book “Ahn Cheol-soo’s Thoughts,” the SNU professor said he knew of the inconveniences of tenants better than anyone as he had been a tenant for a long time. But the actual period he lived in contract-based housing was less than a year.

The founder of anti-computer virus software firm AhnLab was also criticized over claims his laboratory had provided the computer vaccine program to North Korea in 2000 without receiving approval from the National Intelligence Service or the Ministry of Unification.

Ahn served as chief executive officer of the company back then. Initially, he denied the allegation, saying AhnLab didn’t give the V3 software to the North.

But this was confirmed not to be true.

In 2005, a publicist for the firm acknowledged that it provided the North with the software. The publicist recently said she made the remarks as she didn’t know that she was not authorized to speak to the media on the matter.