"Criticism Pours In: Democracy Corrupted by Hostility, Not Reason"
On the 25th, at the BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 in Haeundae-gu, Busan, during the current affairs talk "Beyond Camps, Toward the Future!", Professor Park Hyung-jun of Dong-A University (left) and former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon are having a discussion. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Professor Park Hyung-jun of Dong-A University, who served as co-chairman of the United Future Party's (formerly the People Power Party) joint election countermeasures committee, strongly criticized on the 30th, saying, "The country has been split in two by the 'good versus evil dichotomy' of activist politics."
On the same day, Professor Park posted an article titled "The Anti-Democratic Nature of Activist Politics" on his Facebook, stating, "The people in their 20s, who played a major role in making President Moon Jae-in, have become the most critical age group of the current administration."
He went on to point out, "This is because the forces that advocated equality, fairness, and justice have been revealed to be actually forces of inequality, unfairness, and injustice in broad daylight."
Regarding the recent phenomenon of critical posts about President Moon Jae-in appearing one after another on university campuses, including Seoul National University, Professor Park evaluated it as "one of the late-term phenomena of an administration: sharp satire."
Earlier, on the 27th, a post titled "President Park Geun-hye, I am sorry" was uploaded on 'SNU Life,' an exclusive portal board for current and former students of Seoul National University. The author compared the Park Geun-hye administration with the Moon Jae-in administration and apologized to former President Park, implying that the Park administration was better than the Moon administration. It is interpreted as satire mocking President Moon.
In response, Professor Park said, "The great sense of betrayal among young people has manifested in sharp satirical writings," and strongly criticized, "The level of democracy under this administration is the worst. The rule of law is blatantly ignored, and changing one's words has become routine."
Professor Park also criticized recently Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's disciplinary request and suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl over allegations such as the so-called 'illegal surveillance of judges.'
He said, "Even actions they claimed were normal work turn into illegal surveillance when done by someone they dislike. They compare the prosecutor general they appointed to a neighborhood thug," and added, "Those who voice dissent within the party are branded as traitors. If it benefits the administration, it is good; if it harms the administration, it is evil."
He continued, "The country is being split in two by the divisiveness caused by the good versus evil dichotomy of activist politics," and criticized, "This is not politics governed by reason but politics dominated by hostility, which has distorted democracy."
He further stated, "They lack even the minimal conscience of shame and humility. What Seoul National University students lament is precisely the hypocrisy and anti-democratic nature of this activist politics," and lamented, "In this situation, President Moon, who represents the people, has hidden. He neither fulfills his duty to explain nor takes responsibility."
Professor Park urged, "Now the people must demand: President, come out. Explain to the people."
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