[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seong-yeol] Kim Ho-chang, CEO of Upstudy, who expressed his intention to attend the public debate proposed by former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon, conveyed that Jin has declined the debate.
On the 5th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "I received a refusal from Professor Jin Joong-kwon through another person. Also, he said he never received a message of support from me, but it seems my phone number has changed."
He then posted screenshots of Jin’s Facebook and the message he sent to Jin saying, "Professor Jin Joong-kwon, I support you. Please contact me," adding, "You asked for proof, so here is the evidence."
Public debate proposal posted by former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon / Photo by Jin Joong-kwon Facebook capture
Earlier, on the 2nd, former professor Jin posted on his Facebook, "If any Moonppa (a derogatory term for supporters of President Moon Jae-in) wants to debate with me, please apply under this post and leave your contact information in a message."
In response, Kim expressed his intention to participate in the debate on his Facebook account that evening, asking, "May I participate in the debate you proposed, sir?"
He said, "Since the starting point of the Cho Kuk issue was from me appearing on News Factory, I think I qualify. Also, I sent a text message saying 'I support you' to your opposing stance on the Cho Kuk issue, so I believe it will be a respectful debate at least."
He added, "The reason I sent you a message saying 'I support you' was because, no matter how opposing the views are, I believe that if a sufficient discussion can take place, it should be respected. However, I could not find any basis in Professor Jin’s claims," explaining why he agreed to the public debate.
Since then, on the 4th, Kim posted an article titled "Criticism of Jin Joong-kwon 1 - It’s Jin Joong-dong, not Jo Joong-dong," preparing for the debate with Jin.
In the post, Kim argued, "There is no content about how or in what way Cho Kuk’s daughter was admitted unfairly. They just connect it like this to incite conflict and anger," and "They maximize alienation by using the word ‘privileged class’ without explaining what privileges were involved."
However, on the same day, Jin posted on Facebook, "Your (Kim Ho-chang’s) role in this incident is almost none. Jang Kyung-wook did everything. You don’t need to feel responsible," and "If you want to debate, first disclose the messages you sent me. I remember Kim as a cunning opportunist playing both sides."
He added, "Double-dealing Kim Ho-chang, show the messages you sent me to the Moonppa, and even then, get their permission to be their representative player."
Meanwhile, Kim appeared on tbs radio’s 'Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory' in August last year, stating, "Cho (Cho Kuk’s daughter) was not admitted unfairly. Based on various materials, it was a situation where they could not not accept this student," and "Even though it was 100% false in the news, no one spoke out," expressing support for former Minister Cho.
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