Sim Sang-jung on Questions About Jin Joong-kwon Leaving the Party: "I Wish You Would Stop Asking That Question"

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, is holding a New Year's press conference at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 21st, Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, expressed her wish that former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon would "stop" regarding questions about his withdrawal from the party.

At a New Year's press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Leader Sim said, "Although each individual's political significance may differ, withdrawal or joining a party should respect the will of the party members."

She emphasized, "The party has 60,000 members," adding, "I think it is inappropriate for the party leader to single out and mention individuals one by one."

Regarding criticism that the Justice Party was a "double agent for the Democratic Party of Korea" during the so-called 'Cho Kuk incident,' she rebutted, "We criticized former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's life as an elite privileged class without reservation."

She continued, "'Double agent' is a regressive term born from the outdated two-party confrontation politics," adding, "The essence is to compete with the visions and policies proposed by each party."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is accused of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights in connection with the suspicion of 'Yoo Jae-soo inspection cover-up,' is heading to his car after the arrest warrant was dismissed on the morning of December 27 last year at Seoul Eastern Detention Center in Songpa-gu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, former professor Jin Joong-kwon submitted his withdrawal from the Justice Party in September last year, showing a difference of opinion with the party regarding support for the appointment of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk.

However, he withdrew his intention to leave following the party leadership's persuasion at the time. Later, on the 10th of this month, the Justice Party processed Jin's withdrawal application.

The day after the withdrawal was processed, on the 11th, Jin criticized the Justice Party through his Facebook.

He pointed out, "If it is a party that advocates justice, it should stand with the powerless child who studied hard but was deprived of opportunity, not the student who gained admission through unfair means thanks to well-off parents," adding, "I still stand with that child, but you (the Justice Party) were blinded by the number of seats and left that position."

He continued, "I feel a sense of self-disgust, wondering if the dedication I gave to the party was merely an activity to increase the number of seats," and said, "I regarded the plaque of appreciation I received from the party as the highest honor and treasured it, but I threw it in the trash."

Former professor Jin has been an active member of progressive parties since the Democratic Labor Party era. After leaving due to conflicts with the pro-Juche faction within the Democratic Labor Party, he joined the Progressive New Party founded by the late lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan and lawmaker Sim Sang-jung. He maintained party membership until 2009 and joined the newly launched Justice Party in December 2013.

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