Debate on 'Poetry' Between New Year's Literary Award Poet and Cheong Secretary, Former Professor Jin Joong-kwon

Shin Dong-ho, Speech Secretary, Mentions Poet Ki Hyung-do's 'Empty House' on SNS, Criticizes Jin Joong-kwon... Jin Joong-kwon Says "Flies Don't Cry Even After Losing Their Excrement"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Shin Dong-ho, the Blue House speech secretary and former New Year's literary contest poet, criticized former professor Jin Joong-kwon using poetry, to which Jin responded by posting a poem on SNS in a similar format.

The 'poetry battle' between the poet and the former professor began with Shin's SNS post on the 11th mentioning the vacant house of poet Ki Hyung-do.

Shin said, "One day, a child picked a flower, and a group of people applauded. The child picked more flowers and eventually plucked the flower in their own heart. Losing the flower, I weep," adding, "You, who should have blossomed the flower, plucked it, and I weep. Farewell, futile studies."

Archive photo / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Shin added, "My poor love, who made medicine (藥) by attaching grass (艸) to joy (樂), wandering in the flower garden, crying and laughing, laughing and then crying," and continued, "On the path toward the sublime, you ultimately could not overcome anxiety and sat down, but losing the flower, we do not cry."

Although Shin did not mention former professor Jin's real name, the content of the poem was interpreted as a sharp critique of Jin's actions, who gained fame as a progressive commentator.

Earlier, on the 10th, Jin harshly criticized President Moon Jae-in at a People's Party event, saying, "President Moon reads speeches written by others, and it feels like a protocol president who stages events arranged by Tak Hyun-min," adding, "This person (President Moon) has no personal opinions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The next day, Shin expressed his regret over Jin's attitude through a poem posted on SNS. Shin, who oversees President Moon's messages, is a poet who debuted in 1984 through the Gangwon Ilbo New Year's literary contest while attending Gangwon High School.

When Shin's SNS message became public, Jin responded by posting a poem titled "Empty Dung Field" on SNS, saying, "Even after losing dung, the flies do not cry. They do not cry because there are many who will produce dung. Suddenly, the child felt sorry for Ki Hyung-do."

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