Sunye, formerly of the girl group Wonder Girls, posted and then deleted a tribute to Charlie Kirk, a young activist in the U.S. conservative camp.
On the 16th, Sunye shared a Kirk memorial video on her social networking service (SNS) along with the message, "Until his last moment on this earth, he proclaimed his Savior, Jesus Christ," and then immediately deleted it.
Earlier, Choi Si-won of the idol group Super Junior also posted and then deleted a tribute to Kirk. As controversy grew, Choi said, "Regardless of political leanings, it was to mourn a tragic death." Actors Jin Seo-yeon and Choi Jun-yong also posted tributes on SNS.
Kirk, a prominent young political figure who supports Donald Trump, was shot and killed during a lecture at Utah Valley University on the 10th. He founded Turning Point USA, a U.S. conservative youth organization, and built political influence in the United States. Since then, MAGA supporters have characterized it as the work of "left-wing extremist forces."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said he would deport foreigners who rejoiced at Charlie Kirk's death.