The most fatal delusion of common-sense, normal individuals is the naive belief that a sincere apology will mend conflict.

Shinsegae's Jung Yong-jin's swift public apology and dismissal of his CEO in the Starbucks 'Tank Tumbler' incident serves as a flawed case study, proving that this debased common sense is a complete act of self-harm when faced with the left's "mob law."

To the Left, an Apology is an 'Eternal Blank Check'

Right-wing politicians and business leaders know too little about the ecosystem of the left, which wields blind fanaticism as a weapon. Within the left-wing camp, an opponent's apology is not a period of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is an act of signing and handing over an "eternal blank check" to be perpetually cashed in.

Let's dryly review the past. When Chun Doo-hwan's grandson went to Gwangju and knelt to apologize for the May 18th Gwangju Uprising, did they truly forgive and move on after saying, "There are no more grievances"?

When countless official state-level apologies were issued regarding the Jeju April 3rd incident, did their resentment dissipate and their anger cease? Not at all. An apology is not water to extinguish conflict, but rather fuel for an endless struggle, saying, "Since you have admitted your wrongdoing, now continue to compensate, relinquish your privileges, and submit forever."

The true intentions of the civic groups who threatened to boycott the multi-trillion won Mudeungsan development and Gwangcheon Terminal projects simply because the tumbler was named 'Tank' are precisely this. Their outrage is not about commemoration, but a sophisticated "political shakedown" to seize moral superiority and control over massive regional development projects.

Instead of Apologizing, They Should Be Pushed Back with the Left's Own Playbook

The moment one bows their head and says, "I am sorry for my lack of consideration," in front of these ruthless attack dogs, the apology becomes an admission of historical defamation, and they will tear into the company's lifeline with even greater cruelty.

So, how do the left survive in the jungle of ideological warfare? They never bow their heads in front of their own vile remarks and crimes. This is their primary weapon.

Instead of writing a shallow apology, Jung Yong-jin should have simply copied and wielded this shameless survival tactic of the left. He should have glared and shouted, "Why are you making a fuss when I just put out a product I was already selling?" and then used Lee Jae-myung's and the left's patented defense: "It's a misunderstanding" and "Look at the context."

Furthermore, he would have had an easier time surviving by adopting Lee Jae-myung's frequent tactic: "Accusing a simple tumbler marketing campaign of disparaging the May 18th Uprising is clear malicious business interference and fake news," and immediately threatening to file a lawsuit.

Apologizing politely to someone who has wronged you is merely a virtue of common-sense 'normal' people. However, insisting on the rules of normal people in a domain dominated by the left's "mob law" is simply a declaration of being a pushover, an easy mark.

There is only one lesson that right-wing politicians and businessmen should engrave in their hearts: Even if you have committed a clear wrong worthy of apology, insist otherwise first. Counter-attack by shouting that it's a misunderstanding and not to distort the context.

If that doesn't work, threaten to sue for fake news. You can only survive by being as shameless as they are. Offering an apology to the left is not the end of a farce, but the beginning of hell, where an infinite invoice that strangles your breath arrives.

◆ Writer Park Joo-hyun

Composer, music director, columnist, and essayist. She actively expresses her opinions on political, current affairs, and social issues on Facebook, earning the sympathy of many. She published the essay collection 'Crossing the Stormy Sea'.