Jo Jinwoong Case Escalates Into Political Factional Clash
Ruling Bloc Politicians Defend Him: "It Was in the Past"
Kim Jaewon: "Why Is the Left Defending Him?"
Bae Hyunjin: "Are They Going to Say Even Jo Doosoon Deserves Sympathy?"
After actor Jo Jinwoong announced his retirement following allegations that he had a juvenile criminal record, some members of the broader pro-government camp voiced support for him, sparking a heated debate in the political arena. In response, Kim Jaewon, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, questioned, "Why is the left-wing camp supporting Jo Jinwoong right now?" Assemblywoman Bae Hyunjin of the People Power Party also criticized, "This national gaslighting has crossed the line," adding, "At this rate, people will say even Cho Doosoon (a child sex offender) had his reasons and feel sorry for him."
Kim Jaewon: "Why is the left-wing camp defending Jo Jinwoong... The exit of an actor who pretended to be righteous"
During the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 8th, Supreme Council Member Kim stated, "Why is it that former professors, scholars, and even Democratic Party lawmakers are getting involved in the Jo Jinwoong situation, with the entire camp coming out in support? I have a different opinion." He continued, "Celebrities carry social responsibility for what they say because they work through their social influence and public popularity. That is why, even if the wrongdoing is a matter of personal life, they receive harsh penalties such as being banned from broadcasting, which is almost like cutting off their livelihood."
Kim went on to say, "Jo Jinwoong's crime, which is now coming to light, is not something like drug use that does not harm others. There are even reports speculating that his crime involved raping a 22-year-old female college student and following her home to rob her of 600,000 won. Isn't this the worst kind of crime?"
Jinwoong Cho is reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the National Flag at the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Day Celebration. Photo by KBS
He added, "I haven't really heard that Jo Jinwoong has shown remorse or apologized. What is known about him is that he is an avid fan of the Lotte Giants, that he appeared in a film about independence activists, served as a special envoy to bring the remains of an independence activist to Korea, recited the Pledge of Allegiance at an event, and laughed while watching a movie with President Lee Jaemyung. That's about it." He continued, "We know that he has pretended to be righteous, just, or a socially conscious celebrity. Seeing him on TV expressing his opinions on all sorts of social and political issues makes one wonder what the victim must have felt."
Kim also remarked, "Not long ago, didn't people cheer and support the exclusion of students with a history of school violence from university admissions? Wasn't there a sentiment that, if there is no punishment, private revenge should be taken?" He added, "We are not speaking from a partisan perspective. We are simply witnessing the exit of an actor who pretended to be righteous and just. Now, we must once again evaluate those in the political arena whose past misdeeds remain unaddressed."
Bae Hyunjin: "Democratic Party's national gaslighting over Jang Kyungtae and Jo Jinwoong cases; at this rate, people will say Cho Doosoon had his reasons"
On the 8th, Assemblywoman Bae also wrote on her Facebook page, "The national gaslighting by the Democratic Party and some of its supporters over the Jang Kyungtae and Jo Jinwoong cases has crossed the line." She continued, "While they have no qualms about inflicting secondary and tertiary harm on crime victims, they force excessive compassion and sympathy on members within their own group who have committed crimes." Bae concluded, "Wasn't it said that the Lee Jaemyung administration of the Democratic Party is a government where the key figures together have a total of 31 criminal convictions? At this rate, people will say even Cho Doosoon had his reasons and feel sorry for him. It's nauseating."
Previously, on the 6th, Jo Jinwoong stated, "I deeply apologize to everyone who believed in and supported me for disappointing you due to my disgraceful past. I humbly accept all the criticism and, as of today, will cease all activities and put an end to my acting career." This announcement came just one day after Dispatch reported allegations that Jo Jinwoong had been sent to a juvenile detention center for car theft and sexual assault during his high school years.
Pro-government camp moves to 'save Jo Jinwoong'... Continued defense and support
Afterward, some in the broader pro-government camp, including the Democratic Party, expressed regret. On the 7th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Won-i wrote on Facebook, "To what extent, how, and until when must someone be held responsible for mistakes made in their youth?" Fellow party member Park Beomgye also questioned, "Is the image of him as he is today, as perceived by the public, truly so incompatible with his forgotten past?"
Han Inseop, an honorary professor at Seoul National University's School of Law and former head of the Korea Institute of Criminology and Justice under the Moon Jae-in administration, stated, "If someone tries to bury a person's current achievements by digging up decades-old past incidents, it is the media, not the celebrity, that deserves stern social criticism." Park Chanun, an advisor to the Prosecutorial Reform Promotion Team under the Prime Minister, said, "I feel deep anger at the cruelty of a society that ultimately dragged him off the stage." Kim Kyungho, an attorney at Hoin Law Firm who served as legal counsel for former Marine Corps Investigation Commander Park Jungwoon and reported the loss of the seal band in the investigation of Jeonseongbae, a shaman previously investigated by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, filed a complaint against the reporter from the media outlet that first reported on Jo Jinwoong's juvenile record.
In August 2021, actor Jo Jinwoong served as a special envoy during the Moon Jae-in administration and brought the remains of General Hong Beomdo from Kazakhstan. Inside the airplane heading to Korea, the portrait of General Hong Beomdo was placed next to Special Envoy Jo Jinwoong. KBS
Some are now suggesting that the support from certain members of the ruling camp may be related to Jo Jinwoong's actions that could be interpreted as pro-government. In August, Jo Jinwoong watched the documentary film "Independence Army: The Unfinished War," for which he provided narration, together with President Lee Jaemyung. He also appeared on the pro-government broadcaster "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory: Humility Is Power."
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