"Feeling Madness Watching the Cho Kuk Incident" Kim Kyung-yul Criticizes Moon Government's 'Corruption' and 'Hypocrisy'

"Inside People's Solidarity, 'I Agree That Jo Guk Is Handsome' Talk" Shock
"Feeling the Madness of the Jo Guk Incident... Madness That Can Erase Everyone"
"If You Had to Define the Moon Jae-in Government in One Word, It Is Corruption"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 22nd, Kim Kyung-yul, former executive director of the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, made a statement at the National Assembly suggesting that the situation might have been different if Choi Seo-won, the 'shadow power' of the Park Geun-hye administration, and former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk had looked different. He also said he felt 'madness' while observing the Cho Kuk incident.

Former Executive Director Kim made these remarks in response to a question from Ha Tae-kyung, the responsible representative of the New Conservative Party, asking "How should we view the rallies supporting former Minister Cho?" during an invited lecture titled "Beyond Old Progressivism and Old Conservatism," hosted by the New Conservative Party at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

He said, "I was shocked on the day when an enormous number of people came out to the Seocho-dong rally. It was chilling," adding, "Frankly, if Choi Soon-sil's face had been different, would such a thing have happened? If former Minister Cho Kuk's face had been different, would such a thing have happened?"

He continued, "At the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy's support night, among the secretaries, 8 supported Cho Kuk and 2 opposed him," and said, "When I asked why they supported Cho Kuk, they said 'He is handsome' and 'He is cool.' I was shocked."

A rally urging prosecution reform held on September 17 last year in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "I am from Yonsei University class of '88, and among the 30 members in the activist room, all 30 were on Cho Kuk's side," adding, "The photo of former Minister Cho holding a cake triggered an emotional explosion in the progressive camp. It was like a collective crying atmosphere. I don't know why those people acted that way."

He also said, "Under the so-called name of prosecutorial reform, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's suspension of related investigations was a serious criminal act."

He claimed, "Even People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy members, intellectuals, and journalists share the mindset of 'Why investigate Yoo Jae-soo?'" and added, "As long as such people exist, I think progressivism is not just divided but ruined."

He added, "I felt madness while watching the Cho Kuk incident. A madness that could annihilate everyone." Former Executive Director Kim also pointed out, "If I had to define the Moon Jae-in administration in one word, it would be 'corruption,' and secondarily, 'hypocrisy.'"