Jin Joong-kwon: "Kim Je-dong, Victim of Previous Administration... Different from 'Naggomsu'"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon described broadcaster Kim Je-dong as a "victim of the previous administration."

On the 8th, Jin posted a lengthy message on his Facebook, saying, "I still see some people lumping Kim Je-dong together with the members of Naggomsu and criticizing them all," adding, "Kim Je-dong has no relation to those people and is different in nature. He does not have any particular political inclination; the only thing is that he respects former President Roh Moo-hyun."

He continued, "There has been fuss over his lecture fees, but entertainers are not individuals; they are small businesses. They have many dependents, so they need to earn a lot," and added, "Kim Je-dong donates a lot here and there and sometimes gives lectures without charging when the place lacks funds. He even came all the way to Dongyang University without charging a lecture fee."

He went on, "If Kim Je-dong is guilty of anything, it is just that he happened to sit on the side where I was sitting during the 400th special episode of Baekbun Debate," and said, "Because of that, he was suddenly classified as a leftist."

Broadcaster Kim Je-dong / Photo by Yonhap News

Last year, Kim Je-dong was invited as a special lecturer at the 'Youth Academy' hosted by Daedeok District Office in Daejeon. He was scheduled to receive a lecture fee of 15.5 million won for a 90-minute lecture. The lecture fee proposed to Kim Je-dong was reportedly three times higher than that of other lecturers invited by this academy.

When this fact became known, controversy arose over the excessive high lecture fee.

At the time, three members of the Daedeok District Council from the Liberty Korea Party issued a statement, saying, "Daedeok District is in a poor financial state with a fiscal self-reliance rate of 16.06%, barely able to pay the salaries of district office employees from its own revenue," and pointed out, "We are not sure if it is appropriate for the district to hire Mr. Kim as a lecturer by paying 15.5 million won at such a time, considering the expectations of the residents."

As the controversy spread, Kim Je-dong's side canceled the event.

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