"Despite Repeated Apologies for Releasing 'KTX CCTV' Footage... Park Wi Steps Down Amid Growing Controversy"

Controversy Continues Despite Park Wi’s Apology and Video Deletion
Appointed as Seoul City Goodwill Ambassador on June 17 Last Year

YouTuber Park Wi has decided to step down from his role as a publicity ambassador for Seoul after continued criticism amid the release of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage regarding his fall-related accident during a KTX train disembarkation.

Park Wi and Song Jieun couple. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on August 27, Park Wi recently notified the city of his intention to resign as an ambassador. The city stated that it would respect Park’s decision and proceed with follow-up procedures. Park Wi had been serving as a publicity ambassador since June 17 of last year, having been appointed for a two-year term set to expire in June next year.

Previously, on August 21, Park uploaded a video titled “The reason I am releasing CCTV footage” on his YouTube channel ‘Wircle.’ In the video, Park explained that on August 14, while descending the disembarkation ramp in his wheelchair from a KTX train, the wheelchair’s wheel became caught on the foot of a social service worker who was securing the ramp, causing him to tumble forward. After the incident, hospital examinations revealed no fractures, but Park reported lingering lower back pain.

Park clarified that the social service worker did not intentionally cause the accident, but said, “I was extremely upset that his foot was placed on the ramp,” raising concerns about a situation that could have led to a far more serious injury. He especially highlighted the need for more thorough safety management during the boarding and disembarkation process for wheelchair users, given his own circumstances in which he has little to no feeling in his lower body and may not immediately recognize fractures or injuries.

However, the released CCTV footage showed the social service worker apologizing to Park on site, and there have been repeated criticisms that it was excessive to release footage showing an identifiable individual on a widely viewed channel when there was no intent behind the accident.

As the controversy intensified, Park deleted the video and issued an apology, saying, “I did not consider the staff member’s position,” and admitted his method of communication was inappropriate. Nevertheless, the controversy persisted, with reports indicating that Seoul City received multiple complaints requesting Park’s dismissal as an ambassador after the accident. As a result, Park has decided to step down and take time for self-reflection.

Meanwhile, Korail operates a boarding and disembarkation assistant service for passengers with limited mobility, such as wheelchair users, and station staff and train crew cooperate to facilitate getting on and off trains. Korail has also previously cited areas such as routes within stations, ramps and wheelchair lifts, safety equipment, and assistant services as part of their safety inspection protocols to support train travel for people with disabilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.