"Moon Jae-in Reinstatement, Park Chung-hee Yushin" What Happened That Day... Jin Joong-kwon, Lee Jong-gul's Remarks Resurface

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Former Saenuri Party leader Moon Jae-in (left) and floor leader Lee Jong-gul (right)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon continues to make strong remarks, referring to Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jong-gul's past statement that 'Moon Jae-in's reaffirmation is Park Chung-hee's Yushin.'

On the 4th, former professor Jin criticized Lee, saying, "The people who risked their lives to protect Moon Jae-in (then party leader) suffered, while those who said 'Moon Jae-in's reaffirmation is Park Chung-hee's Yushin' are living comfortably."

On September 13, 2015, Lee Jong-gul, then floor leader of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, remarked regarding the reaffirmation vote proposed by Moon Jae-in, "Reaffirmation reminds me of the language of the Yushin era."

At a luncheon meeting with reporters that day, Lee said about Moon's reaffirmation vote proposal, "It reminds me of the Yushin during former President Park's era."

This is interpreted as an allusion to former President Park's demand for reaffirmation while forcibly pushing through the Yushin Constitution.

Lee also said, "If Moon, the symbol of the movie , puts forth reaffirmation, wouldn't the people recall former President Park?" and added, "Reaffirmation is language from the Yushin era and is a trauma for the progressive forces."

Former Saenuri Party leader Moon Jae-in (left) and floor leader Lee Jong-gul (right) [Image source=Yonhap News]

This remark sparked strong backlash inside and outside the party. Former lawmaker Kim Ki-sik criticized on his Twitter, "There is a linguistic boundary even in political criticism. To mention 'Yushin' regarding internal party issues, especially to an elected party leader, is beyond excessive. I despair at the reality where those responsible for solving problems instead escalate conflicts."

Also, Choi Jae-sung, general secretary of the New Politics Alliance, stated on Twitter, "Why does Lee Jong-gul engage in politics? Where are the people? The senior members' group decided to stop shaking Moon and requested postponement of the reaffirmation, which the leader accepted. But to say reaffirmation is like Park Chung-hee's Yushin? I will hold him accountable," announcing plans to pursue disciplinary action.

Criticism also arose from the opposition. Seo Ju-ho, secretary-general of the Justice Party Seoul branch, tweeted, "Why is even floor leader Lee Jong-gul doing this? Mr. Lee, no matter how much you dislike Moon Jae-in's reaffirmation vote proposal, how can you compare it to Park Chung-hee's Yushin dictatorship process? Are you really trying to go wild?"

Facing fierce criticism inside and outside the party, floor leader Lee apologized the next day (14th) at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee hearing, saying, "I deeply regret that my words were conveyed incorrectly due to expressions different from my intent, and I apologize to the people," adding, "I spoke well with Moon Jae-in at today's closed supreme council meeting."

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. Photo by JTBC, New Year's Debate Broadcast Capture

Regarding this, former professor Jin posted on his Facebook on the same day (January 4), "If Moon Jae-in had stepped down as Lee Jong-gul demanded during the New Politics Alliance for Democracy era, he would have become an outsider immediately and would be somewhere other than the Blue House now."

He continued, "I apologize for using somewhat harsh words toward Lee Jong-gul when he tried to shake Moon back then, but I still believe my judgment was right," and criticized, "During the Japanese occupation, independence activists were oppressed while pro-Japanese collaborators lived comfortably. That tragedy of our history is still ongoing."

The verbal exchange between former professor Jin and lawmaker Lee began on the 2nd. On that day, former professor Jin suggested on Facebook to Moon's supporters, "(Moon Jae-in supporters) leave their thinking to others, so once they leave the group, they cannot think for themselves," and proposed, "Let's have a public debate once at the end of January when I return from abroad."

In response, on the 3rd, lawmaker Lee Jong-gul criticized former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon, saying, "I think he doesn't realize how far he has fallen," and pointed out, "He has reached the stage of picking fights and causing trouble by challenging anyone to a 'duel.' If you refuse the duel, it means you are scared, so you must admit your cowardice and shrink back."

On the same day, former professor Jin posted on his Facebook, "Lee Jong-gul used harsh words, but I will not respond. There is no need to stoop to his level; it's a strategy to ruin together," emphasizing, "But please don't forget that about seven years ago, when Democratic Party lawmakers unjustly tried to shake Moon Jae-in, I was the one who did not hesitate to engage in a fierce dogfight to protect him."