A photo of Charlie Kirk, 32, founder of the U.S. conservative youth group "Turning Point USA," appearing with Jeon Han-gil, a former Korean history instructor-turned-YouTuber who died, spread online. After Kirk was shot to death during a university lecture, the photo drew attention, but it turned out to be fabricated.
AFP reported on the 17th (local time) that "the photo that spread on social media (SNS) after Kirk's death was manipulated." In the disputed photo, Kirk appears to be introducing Jeon.
The person who posted the photo wrote, "A few days before Charlie Kirk was killed, he met with CEO Jeon Han-gil and discussed a campaign to save former President Yoon Suk-yeol. He welcomed him with such a bright expression," and added, "CEO Jeon was said to be deeply grief-stricken by the news of his death. Now is the time to pray that U.S. President Trump will carry on CEO Kirk's will and move to rescue former President Yoon."
AFP said the post drew comments such as, "Now I see why Teacher Han-gil said he bought a bulletproof vest. I'm very worried because the chance of him becoming a target like CEO Kirk is high," and "Right-wing heavyweights like Jeon Han-gil must now be in danger, too."
But the original photo was taken at an event held in the United States in December 2021 by the youth conservative group "Turning Point USA," and the person Kirk introduced then was not Jeon but Kyle Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse shot into a crowd protesting racial discrimination, killing two people, but was acquitted and has been hailed as a "hero" by the U.S. conservative camp.
AFP said the photo of Jeon used in the composite was his profile that had been posted on a civil service exam academy website when he was a Korean history instructor.