In response to the controversy, EBS Media stated that it would perform an immediate internal audit relating to the issue to ensure that those linked to the product would be strongly penalized. (image: Scholas Co.)
SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Paper dolls of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sold by EBS Media, an affiliate of the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), are stirring up controversy in South Korea.
With the public outcry continuing to grow, the distributor of the products that signed an agreement with EBS Media has decided to implement a complete recall of the products.
Scholas Co., an online store that specializes in educational materials, produced various paper dolls in association with EBS Media, depicting leaders who “paving the way for peace on the Korean Peninsula” including Korean President Moon Jae-in, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in addition to the paper doll version of Kim Jong-un.
Scholas became the target of public criticism by describing the North Korean leader as being one of the leaders pursuing “peace” despite his track record of atrocious human rights abuses in his native North Korea.
The North Korean leader is infamous for having killed his own uncle, among other cruel acts against his own people.
The product also described Kim’s life history, which included his overseas studies in Switzerland and the steps he took to become the most powerful ruler in North Korea.
In response to the controversy, EBS Media stated that it would perform an immediate internal audit relating to the issue to ensure that those linked to the product would be strongly penalized.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
