By Kim Rahn
A professor has caused a stir by linking the recent mass candlelit protests against President Park Geun-hye with air pollution.
On his Facebook page, Sunday, environmental science and engineering Prof. Park Seok-soon at Ewha Womans University cited a UNICEF report that 600,000 children aged five or younger die from air pollution-related diseases every year, mainly in developing countries.
He said children are especially susceptible to air pollution as their lungs are weak. "Media show adults who are proud of bringing their children to the candlelit protest. But this is wrong. Burning candles produces a lot of toxic substances, so it's not good for their health even when the candles are burned outside," the professor said.
"A rich and powerful country, a country without candles is where children can grow healthily."
The professor added, "The air pollutants discharged at the candlelit protests will be huge, but even environmental groups are instigating the protests."
Internet users poured criticism over his comment.
"If candles cause that much pollutants, you should not use cars or planes at all," a blogger with ID kyj*** said.
"Have you ever heard of LED candles?" another internet user, ID co**, said.
Park was an avid supporter of the previous Lee Myung-bak administration's four-major river refurbishment project, which caused controversy over ecological damage. Regarding concerns that the project could result in algal blooms, he once said, "If boats sail in the rivers and their screws run, the water becomes clean. So we don't need to worry about algal bloom and pollution." Contrary to his confident remark, algal blooms have occurred in rivers since the project finished.
A professor has caused a stir by linking the recent mass candlelit protests against President Park Geun-hye with air pollution.
On his Facebook page, Sunday, environmental science and engineering Prof. Park Seok-soon at Ewha Womans University cited a UNICEF report that 600,000 children aged five or younger die from air pollution-related diseases every year, mainly in developing countries.
He said children are especially susceptible to air pollution as their lungs are weak. "Media show adults who are proud of bringing their children to the candlelit protest. But this is wrong. Burning candles produces a lot of toxic substances, so it's not good for their health even when the candles are burned outside," the professor said.
"A rich and powerful country, a country without candles is where children can grow healthily."
The professor added, "The air pollutants discharged at the candlelit protests will be huge, but even environmental groups are instigating the protests."
Internet users poured criticism over his comment.
"If candles cause that much pollutants, you should not use cars or planes at all," a blogger with ID kyj*** said.
"Have you ever heard of LED candles?" another internet user, ID co**, said.
Park was an avid supporter of the previous Lee Myung-bak administration's four-major river refurbishment project, which caused controversy over ecological damage. Regarding concerns that the project could result in algal blooms, he once said, "If boats sail in the rivers and their screws run, the water becomes clean. So we don't need to worry about algal bloom and pollution." Contrary to his confident remark, algal blooms have occurred in rivers since the project finished.
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