Kim Kyung-yul "Jin Joong-kwon, the Proper Model of an Intellectual... Not a Division but a 'Collapse' of Progressivism"

Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is shaking hands with former People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy Executive Director Kim Kyung-yul at Dalgaebi in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Kim Kyung-yul, former executive committee member of the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, on the 22nd praised Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University and progressive commentator, for his sharp criticism of the progressive camp, calling it a "proper model of an intellectual."

Kim appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start of a New Morning' that morning and said, "Professor Jin's recent behavior is a paradigm of an intellectual."

Kim emphasized, "When intellectuals see the corrupt aspects of power and the collusion between power and the media, it is their natural duty to respond sensitively and fight uncompromisingly. Watching Professor Jin, our intellectuals and media should adopt the attitude of 'I am also Jin Joong-kwon' rather than 'I am also Cho Kuk.'"

He continued, "There are many instances where some raise issues one day and serve power the next, but such behavior is not appropriate for intellectuals. I believe Professor Jin is the proper model of an intellectual living in Korean society at this time."

Regarding the view that Professor Jin's recent actions represent "internal division within the progressive camp," Kim said, "It is not a division but a collapse of progressivism," adding, "Among those who once advocated democratic progressivism, some have colluded with power and ingratiated themselves with it. They only wore the facade of progressivism but never truly upheld democracy and human rights. As long as such people exist, there is no future for democratic progressivism."

On meeting former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo the day before, Kim said, "Ahn's aides contacted me several times, and after initially declining, I thought it was not a meeting I should miss, so I met him. We discussed equal opportunity and fairness related to issues including the daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. He deeply sympathized."

When asked about his own political plans, Kim replied, "I am not saying I will never engage in politics until I die, but I will definitely not run for office in 2020. Ahn did not mention anything about a centrist pragmatic party, and when I asked if he would found a party, he only said he would serve where needed. There was no talk about politics."

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