Park Wi resigns as Seoul ambassador amid controversy

Park Wi, a prominent creator and husband of former Secret member Song Ji-eun, has voluntarily resigned from his position as a Seoul City ambassador. His decision follows intense controversy surrounding the release of a CCTV video depicting a fall he experienced during a KTX accident. Although Park issued an apology and set the video to private, the backlash persisted, prompting him to step down to avoid further impacting his public role.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 27th, Park conveyed his intention to resign on this day. The city plans to proceed with the necessary procedures to accept his decision.

Park was appointed as a Seoul City ambassador in June last year. His two-year term was originally intended to run until next June, during which he was tasked with promoting Seoul's barrier-free environment and welfare and youth policies. However, he has now ended his activities with approximately 10 months remaining in his term.

The controversy stems from a KTX accident on the 14th. While Park was disembarking a train in a wheelchair, a wheel became caught on the foot of a social service agent assisting him while they were passing through a mobile ramp, causing him to fall.

On the 21st, Park released CCTV footage of the accident on his YouTube channel, 'Wheracle.' His stated intention was to raise social awareness regarding safety issues faced by persons with disabilities and to prevent similar accidents from recurring.

However, the manner in which the video was released sparked significant debate. Critics questioned the appropriateness of sharing footage that included the face of the social service agent on a channel with approximately 1 million subscribers. Because the agent had already apologized to Park immediately after the accident, concerns grew regarding the impact on the individual's privacy, portrait rights, and personal information.

As the debate intensified, Park set the video to private and apologized, admitting he had failed to sufficiently consider the other party's position. While the accident itself remains a valid concern, the core issue shifted to whether the rights and emotions of third parties were adequately respected while attempting to deliver a message of public interest.

The controversy subsequently spilled over into his role as a Seoul City ambassador. On the 25th, a civil complaint was filed through e-People requesting a review of whether the incident constituted grounds for dismissal and whether it was appropriate for him to continue his duties amidst the ongoing scrutiny.

His external schedule has also been affected. Some engagements, such as the '2026 Seoul Youth Policy Network Insight Special Lecture' scheduled for the 27th, have been canceled. Online, the controversy has expanded as users resurface past remarks and content from Park.

For Park, this resignation carries weight beyond the end of a single role. He has built a platform by sharing the daily lives and experiences of persons with disabilities to raise social awareness. His work has been closely tied to public agendas like mobility rights and social accessibility, which is why the Seoul Metropolitan Government originally appointed him for his symbolic value.

However, holding a public title necessitates a stricter standard of responsibility when balancing personal content with public messaging. This incident highlights that when addressing high-interest social issues like disability rights, one must balance raising awareness with respecting the dignity and rights of those involved.

By resigning, Park has chosen to prevent the controversy from further impacting the public activities of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Ultimately, the debate over the accident video has evolved from a matter of personal content expression into a broader discussion regarding the responsibilities and boundaries of expression required of influencers in public roles.