"This Medal Should Be Yours"
"The Awarder Must Also Be Fully Qualified"
"Criticism of an Ignorant and Uncivilized Regime"
Professor Kim Cheolhong, Department of Industrial Management Engineering, Incheon National University (left), President Yoon Seok-yeol (right). [Source=Incheon National University, Presidential Office]
Professor Kim Cheol-hong of the Department of Industrial Management Engineering at Incheon National University refused the presidential medal ahead of his retirement ceremony and poured out criticism of President Yoon Seok-yeol.
According to a report by Kyunghyang Newspaper on the 28th, Professor Kim published a piece titled "You Can Have This Medal." He said, "A few days ago, I was contacted by the university headquarters to prepare a commendation report to be submitted to the Ministry of Education for awarding medals and decorations ahead of my retirement." He continued, "As I looked at the form, many thoughts crossed my mind. First, I pondered the value of what I have done as a university professor over the years and whether I deserved to receive a medal."
He went on, "Medals are awarded to those who have sacrificed for the country or made significant achievements, and the type of medal depends on the degree and criteria of merit," adding, "Although the social status and pride of university professors have declined compared to the past, they still belong to a certain level of economic and social privileged class. I wondered what meaning a medal or decoration, which is like an attendance award given to someone who has already enjoyed many benefits as a social privileged person after a certain period, could have."
Professor Kim said, "I also have a strong aversion to the name of the awardee to be written on the certificate of the medal or decoration," explaining, "Why should the awarder be President Yoon Seok-yeol, not the Republic of Korea or the office of the president? Yoon Seok-yeol is an elected political official with a five-year term." He added, "Even if I were to receive a medal or decoration, I would want to receive it in the name of the Republic of Korea, not from a president who does not have the value and qualification to properly represent the country." He argued, "Those who receive medals or awards must be qualified, but those who confer them must also have sufficient qualifications."
He further criticized, "This ignorant regime not only fails to properly celebrate the Nobel Literature Prize but also stirs up ideological and regional animosities, even designating books as harmful," and "While drastically cutting research-related R&D budgets that should be stepping stones for the country's future, it lavishly spends the national emergency reserve funds on overseas trips disguised as diplomatic visits." Moreover, he sharply criticized, "What meaning or value could a medal bearing the name of Yoon Seok-yeol, the head of the prosecution republic where prosecutors, mere Ministry of Justice officials, have become the vanguard of a reign of terror by impersonating judicial institutions, possibly have?"
He also expressed discomfort, saying, "Thinking about a medal or decoration awarded by a president who divides the country into extremes, only pursues political gains for factions, turns human society into an animal kingdom, neglects the lives of the people, and only cares for his family and some supporters being placed in my living room makes me shudder." He urged, "Stop visiting Yongsan and Gwanghwamun every weekend, be ashamed if your approval rating is 20%, and step down on your own." Finally, he concluded, "If you have neither the ability nor the will to do well, just step down and enjoy the autumn leaves holding your wife's hand during the short autumn days," adding, "You can call this my small resistance as a teacher who refuses the medal, or a timid act of a desk-bound scholar lacking courage. Here, take this medal for yourself!"
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