"Hope to See Less of the 586 Generation" Jin Joong-kwon Supports 'Green Party' in General Election... Also Advocates '40s and 50s Overhaul Theory'

"Candlelight Fraud, Just Don't Vote for the Democratic Party"
"I Will Vote for the Green Party"
Effectively Advocating for a '40s and 50s Overhaul"
Only 3 Lawmakers Under 40 in the 20th National Assembly

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon expressed support for the Green Party ahead of the general election. Although Jin's party affiliation is with the Justice Party and he had previously expressed support for the Democratic Party of Korea, he recently showed differing views from the progressive camp regarding allegations against former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, leading him to support a completely different party.

In particular, Jin proposed that the so-called '86 Generation,' referring to the 'democratization movement generation,' should not be elected by either the progressive or conservative camps.

The '86 Generation' mainly refers to those who experienced the democratization movement through student activism in the 1980s. Over time, it has also been referred to as the 486 or 586 Generation.

Because of this, some view Jin's remarks as advocating a 'political reshuffle of the 40s and 50s generation' ahead of the general election.

On the 9th, Jin stated, "We just need to not vote for the Candlelight Fraud Democratic Party. 'Boycott the Democratic Party.' Well, this time I will vote for the Green Party."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Jin wrote, "We each have one vote. Where to cast that vote is up to each person, but one thing is for sure: let's never give it to those guys."

Photo by Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University, captured

Jin said, "Their argument is this: 'So, are you going to vote for the Liberty Korea Party?' You don't have to vote for the Korea Party. Just boycotting the Democratic Party can influence close races in certain regions."

He continued, "But more important than the election results is expressing with one vote that we are very angry. If you can't even do that, you're really a fool. Don't worry about who wins. Whoever wins will do the same thing anyway."

Jin then proposed not to elect the '86 Generation.' He said, "I hope young people get a chance. Whether progressive or conservative, I wish the political scene would stop seeing the 586 generation. It's tiresome. Although I am also 586, even I think it's really disgusting. Phew, in Finland, a 34-year-old woman became prime minister..."

In fact, looking at the ages of National Assembly members, young people are virtually absent. The average age of the 20th National Assembly members is about 55 years old. Especially in the 20th National Assembly, there were only three members under 40.

This so-called 'reshuffle theory' advocated by Jin is not the first time.

During the 17th general election in 2004, the late Roh Hoe-chan, former leader of the Justice Party, attracted voters' attention by presenting the so-called 'Samgyeopsal reshuffle theory' at a broadcast debate, saying, "For 50 years, we've been grilling samgyeopsal on the same pan until it's blackened, so we need to change the pan."

Meanwhile, Jin has continuously voiced criticism toward the progressive camp. On the previous day (the 8th), he criticized Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, calling him a 'pro-government intellectual.'

In a post on his Facebook that day, Jin said, "It is a very precious thing that writer Yoo calls himself a 'pro-government intellectual.' The habit of mixing fact and fiction in perception and judgment is something intellectuals should be cautious of, but it is a quality that pro-government intellectuals must have." He added, "I'm not being sarcastic; 'pro-government intellectual' is actually the job that best fits his aptitude and qualities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.