Yoon Hosts Luncheon with Yonsei University Honorary Professor Kim Hyung-seok
Professor Kim Criticizes Moon Administration Policies
Urges "Proper Realization of Liberal Democratic Values"
Kim Hyung-seok, Honorary Professor of Philosophy at Yonsei University (104 years old), who met President Yoon Suk-yeol, stated on the 3rd regarding the issue of resident doctors' withdrawal, "I am also a professor, but it is not desirable that medical school professors not only fail to discourage the collective actions of resident doctors but also collectively submit their resignations in solidarity. It is disappointing."
President Yoon invited Honorary Professor Kim to the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day and had lunch together, according to a written briefing by Kim Soo-kyung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office.
President Yoon visited Honorary Professor Kim after retiring as Prosecutor General in March 2021 and had conversations with him. He has expressed respect by reading Professor Kim's works such as "Having Lived a Hundred Years." Additionally, Honorary Professor Kim is known to have a close relationship with the late Professor Yoon Ki-jung, President Yoon's father, as they worked together at Yonsei University. At the start of the lunch, President Yoon said, "I visited you around this time three years ago and received good advice," adding, "I wanted to invite you soon after my inauguration, but I am only able to do so now."
Honorary Professor Kim evaluated the policies carried out during the two years of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, saying, "Especially the normalization of Korea-Japan relations was a difficult task, but you really did well." He also pointed out the problems of the Moon Jae-in administration's policies such as income-led growth, fiscal populism, nuclear phase-out, skyrocketing housing prices, and heavy property taxes, suggesting, "So far, President Yoon has worked hard to correct the failures of the previous administration, but after the general election, I hope the values of liberal democracy will be properly realized in various fields."
After lunch, President Yoon guided Honorary Professor Kim through the Presidential Office's working room, summit meeting room, and Cabinet meeting room, introducing his domestic and international activities so far.
Honorary Professor Kim said, "I have been to the Blue House before, but the Yongsan working office seems better," adding, "The Blue House felt very confined, but Yongsan is an open and spacious area, which I like," expressing his impressions of the Presidential Office visit. President Yoon responded, "Since moving to Yongsan, I am in the same building with my aides, so we can always communicate well."
Professor Emeritus Kim Hyung-seok of Yonsei University is delivering the keynote speech on the theme "Lessons from a Century of Life" at the "Good Brain 2022 International Conference" hosted by Asia Economy on the 21st at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
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