Jin Joong-kwon: "President Moon's remark 'I owe Cho Kuk' is something that should not have been said"

President Moon: "I owe a great debt in my heart just from the hardships Cho Kuk endured"
Jin Joong-kwon: "The hardships Cho Kuk faced? The price for breaking the law"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized President Moon Jae-in's remark at the New Year's press conference that "I feel a great debt of gratitude just for the hardships former Minister Cho Kuk has endured so far," saying, "It was a statement a president should never make."

On the 16th, Jin posted on his Facebook, stating, "This actually raises a fundamental doubt about whether Moon Jae-in was truly suitable to hold the 'public office' of president."

Jin explained, "'Republic' derives from the Latin 'res publica,' meaning a country where state affairs are conducted as 'public matters.' Many were taken aback at the president's remarks during the recent press conference because they felt it undermined the ideology of the republic."

Earlier, on the morning of the 14th, President Moon expressed his thoughts on former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk at the New Year's press conference held at the Blue House State Guest House.

President Moon said, "I believe Cho Kuk's contributions as the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House and as Minister of Justice were significant, especially in passing the Corruption Investigation Office Act and the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police." He added, "While his guilt or innocence will be determined through investigation and trial, regardless of the outcome, I feel a great debt of gratitude just for the hardships he has endured so far."

In response, Jin stated, "The 'hardships' that former Minister Cho endured are the natural consequences for those who have broken the law, and not only him but all who violate the law must rightfully face such hardships." He questioned, "If those who broke the law have paid the price, why should the people feel a 'debt of gratitude' toward him? In fact, he owes a debt to the people."

He continued, "Of course, one can personally feel a 'debt of gratitude,' but the president appeared at the press conference not as a private individual but as a public official, and should not have expressed personal emotions there."

President Moon Jae-in is answering questions from the press at the 2020 New Year's press conference held at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan on the morning of the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News.

He further explained, "The phrase 'feel a debt of gratitude' implies that 'our society has wronged him.' However, the investigation and prosecution of Cho Kuk's family were conducted by the prosecution, a constitutional institution of the Republic of Korea, and the president is ultimately responsible for that institution. This is tantamount to the president denying the legitimacy of the national administration he is responsible for."

He argued, "It is a serious problem if a country's president cannot distinguish between public and private matters. As president, he should have defended the Prosecutor General in his official capacity and conveyed his 'debt of gratitude' privately by calling the former minister."

He added, "However, the attitude President Moon showed at the press conference was absolutely not that of the head of a 'republic.' There, he spoke not as a representative of the people but as a 'friend' of a hypocrite who failed to manage himself, and as a spokesperson for the interests of the faction (PK Chinmoon) to which that friend belongs."

In conclusion, he said, "This is not to criticize the president, but to warn that this is a truly serious problem. It seems the government, ruling party, and supporters do not realize the gravity of the issue at all. In my view, the Blue House's operation has already degenerated from public affairs (res publica) to private affairs (res privata) that protect the interests of PK Chinmoon and guarantee their survival."

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