Democratic Party Lawmakers Kim Woni and Park Beomgye Voice Support
Some members of the ruling bloc, including the Democratic Party of Korea, have voiced support for actor Jo Jinwoong, who announced his intention to retire from the entertainment industry following controversy over his juvenile offenses. They argue that, since these were past mistakes for which he has shown remorse, he should be given a chance to make a comeback.
On December 7, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Woni referenced Jo's retirement announcement on his personal social media account, asking, "To what extent, in what way, and for how long should someone be held accountable for mistakes made during their youth?"
He also shared a post by Father Song Kyungyong of the Anglican Church, who called for Jo's return. Father Song previously stated, "If someone receives appropriate punishment and lives with remorse for mistakes made in childhood, shouldn't we actually support them?"
Park Beomgye, another lawmaker from the same party, said, "There is significant controversy over Jo Jinwoong's misconduct as a teenager. I was also very surprised," but questioned, "Is the image of him that the public holds today truly so incompatible with those forgotten memories?"
Kim Sunmin, a lawmaker from the Innovation of the Fatherland Party, also posted on social media, "While I respect his personal choice, every choice is reversible," adding, "As an unwavering fan, I really want to see 'Signal 2.'"
Some observers suggest that this support may be due to Jo's actions, which have been interpreted as being pro-government. Previously, in August, Jo watched the documentary film 'Independence Army: The Unfinished War,' for which he served as narrator, together with President Lee Jaemyung, and appeared on 'Kim Eojun's News Factory,' a program known for its pro-government stance, to promote the film.
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