On the morning of February 10, a man in his 30s attempted to rob a bank in Ilgwang-eup, Gijang County, Busan, using a toy dinosaur water gun, but was apprehended within two minutes by customers and bank staff, according to the Busan Gijang Police Station. (Yonhap)
BUSAN, Feb. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — A man who attempted to rob a bank with a toy gun was apprehended within two minutes by citizens and bank staff, drawing widespread online satire that likened the incident to recent political rhetoric from President Yoon Suk Yeol.
On February 10, a man in his 30s entered a bank in Busan’s Gijang County, demanding money while wielding a dinosaur-shaped water gun. However, before he could flee, he was swiftly subdued by bystanders and later arrested by police. The attempted robbery, which resulted in no stolen money or injuries, quickly became the subject of online discourse.
The following day, a comment posted on social media platform X gained traction for its sharp wit. The user, identified as A, wrote, “Nothing actually happened. Where in the world does a two-minute bank robbery exist?”
They further mocked the situation by stating, “It was all within the bounds of the law,” and likened the outcry over the incident to “chasing the moon’s reflection on a lake.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol gives a public statement at the presidential office on Dec. 12, 2024, denouncing the main opposition Democratic Party for paralyzing state affairs with its abuse of impeachments, in this file photo provided by Yoon’s office. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The satire was widely understood as a jab at President Yoon’s statements during his impeachment trial proceedings. On February 4, Yoon argued that “nothing actually happened” during the period of martial law discussions, dismissing concerns as exaggerated.
His legal team had previously defended the measures as a form of “enlightened emergency law” meant to instill public vigilance rather than execute an actual coup. Yoon had also downplayed concerns in a public address last December, questioning, “How can there be a two-hour coup?”
The viral social media post continued to draw parallels, noting that the toy gun was legally purchased and that the suspect’s actions were intended as a “warning to raise awareness.” Commenters responded with remarks such as “Satirical brilliance” and “An enlightenment robber, perhaps?”
The case remains under police investigation, while online discussions continue to use the absurdity of the incident as a lens through which to critique recent political discourse in South Korea.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
