Jin Joong-kwon: "Is Cheong Wa Dae Choi Kang-wook's owner... Why are they explaining on his behalf?"

Controversy Over Blue House Proxy Explanation
Choi Kang-wook: "Typical Fabricated Investigation and Vile Media Play"
"Choi Kang-wook Himself Should Go to Prosecution to Explain"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Choi Kang-wook, Secretary for Public Discipline at the Blue House, on the 22nd, saying, "Choi Kang-wook, go to the prosecution. All citizens are doing so. Are you a sacred bone of the Moon dynasty?"

On the same day, former professor Jin posted on his Facebook, "Privatization of the Blue House. Secretary Choi Kang-wook's shameless crime was committed before entering the Blue House," adding, "Then why is the Blue House Communications Secretary explaining that crime? Is the Blue House Choi Kang-wook's property?"

He continued, "Does the Communications Secretary receive a salary from Choi Kang-wook? Is the presidential office of a country just a servant cleaning up after a petty criminal?" and urged, "Let Choi Kang-wook personally go to the prosecution and explain privately."

Former professor Jin also said, "Think about it. He (Secretary Choi) could not have been unaware that the intern certificate was used to unfairly take away opportunities from children from disadvantaged families in admissions," adding, "Moreover, the fact that a human rights lawyer who usually spouts all kinds of progressive rhetoric and pretends to be righteous committed this act makes the social criticism far greater than that of an ordinary person."

On the same day, Secretary Choi criticized media reports that the prosecution was reviewing indictment on charges of issuing a 'false intern activity certificate' to the son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, saying, "Cho's son actually did intern activities. This is a typical fabricated investigation by the prosecution and a despicable media play."

Yoon Do-han, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House / Photo by Yonhap News

Senior Secretary Yoon, at a briefing held at the Blue House Chuncheon Hall on the same day, refuted the media reports and conveyed Secretary Choi's position on his behalf.

Senior Secretary Yoon stated, "There was intern activity from January 2017 to February 2018, which the prosecution is questioning, and two activity certificates were issued," adding, "He actually did intern activities."

He further added, "There is no clear regulation on how intern activities should be conducted, and the prosecution, without knowing whether the intern activities were done, is claiming 'no activities were done.'"