Jin Joong-kwon: "No President Has Been Deified Like Moon... A Puppet of the NL"

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a special lecture on the topic of "The Age of Post-Truth" at the National Future Forum seminar jointly hosted by Hwang Bo-seung-hee of the People Power Party and Kwon Eun-hee of the People’s Party at the political culture platform cafe "House" in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon, who left the Justice Party last January and has been persistently criticizing the current government and the progressive camp, criticized the current administration as "totalitarianism rather than progressive." When asked about his future plans, he hinted that he will continue to be an active commentator by saying he is simply fulfilling the duty of an "intellectual."

On the 20th, in an interview with Korea Economic Daily, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon said, "No president in history has been deified or idolized like President Moon Jae-in," adding, "During former President Lee Myung-bak's time, the negative nickname '2MB' was openly used, and during former President Park Geun-hye's time, 'Dakgeune' was common, but no one made a big deal out of it," delivering a sharp critique of the current government.

Since leaving the Justice Party on January 11, he has been continuously criticizing the current government and both ruling and opposition parties on Facebook, earning the new nickname "all-bashing doll." This is because he targets anyone he deems problematic, regardless of whether they are progressive or conservative, or their political orientation.

Recently, through his new book Why Does Progressivism Collapse?, he pointed out the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party of Korea as "totalitarian rather than progressive." He criticized, "No matter what happens, they frame anyone who disagrees with them as an enemy," and said, "They silence opposing voices, and if this is not totalitarianism, then what is?"

When asked about the Fair Economy Three Laws (Fair Trade Act, Commercial Act, Financial Group Supervision Act), real estate policies, and the prosecution's investigation of Samsung, he said, "The reason all policies of the current government fail is the same. The government operates on the premise that 'we are always right,'" adding, "They see policies merely as tools to defeat enemies and do not know how to engage in dialogue, compromise, or debate with stakeholders holding different views. All policies end up being superficial."

In particular, Professor Jin criticized, "The biggest failure of the current government is real estate."

He pointed out, "It was the decisive moment that caused a split among President Moon Jae-in's supporters and showed how ignorant the government officials and ruling party are," adding, "They failed to consider how important 'owning a home' is in Korean society and only emphasized a hostile mindset of 'we must crush the rich living in Gangnam,' which has caused a balloon effect every time new policies were introduced."

Regarding President Moon Jae-in's role, he said, "He is merely a 'ceremonial president' put forward by figures from the NL (National Liberation) activist group." Professor Jin said, "There is no leadership to unify the people in times of national crisis," adding, "He only plays an accessory role in the 'beautiful events' staged by the NL. He originally had no political ambitions and has no personal story. He was pushed into the presidency with the image of being 'former President Roh Moo-hyun's friend,' effectively making him a puppet of the NL."

Meanwhile, when asked about the nicknames "all-bashing doll" and "attention seeker" recently attached to him in political circles, he confessed, "It is bitter. It is overwhelming and lonely."

He said, "Outside, some say I have transformed from progressive to far-right, and others say the opposite. I only speak from my perspective about what I think is right or wrong," adding, "That is the 'duty of an intellectual.' When I post something, many people contact me saying, 'Thank you for saying what we wanted to say.' It is bitter. It is becoming increasingly overwhelming and lonely to do this alone."

When asked if it is difficult to be a commentator, he answered, "It was hard, so I took about a three-year break in the middle, but as an 'intellectual,' I believe I must express my thoughts. That is why I resigned from Dongyang University," and when asked about his future plans, he stated, "I think I have said most of what I wanted to say."

Professor Jin said, "I have criticized the current government and the Democratic Party of Korea, as well as the conservatives, for all their faults," adding, "So far, I have spoken about specific issues, but going forward, I plan to organize these into a theory. I need to structurally analyze the causes behind these phenomena," hinting at his future course of action.