Jin Joong-kwon: "Roh Said Even Criticizing the President Is a Citizen's Right... Different from Moon"

"Moon Administration Tries to Disallow Criticism of President," Claim
Earlier at National Assembly Seminar, Criticized as "Ceremonial President Reading Speeches Written by Others"

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a greeting at the first lecture of the On-Gukmin Study Room titled "What is Justice in Our Time" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 10th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon cited former President Roh Moo-hyun's statement on the 12th that "It is the natural right of citizens to criticize the president," pointing out, "This is the difference between Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in."

Former Professor Jin recently attended a lecture held at the National Assembly and argued that "President Moon Jae-in is merely a ceremonial president who reads speeches written by others," sparking debates with figures from the Blue House.

On that day, he introduced a quote from former President Roh on his Facebook, saying, "Criticizing the president is the natural right of citizens who hold sovereignty in a democratic society. If criticizing the president relieves the stress of the sovereign, I am happy to listen."

He continued, "President Roh recognized even defaming the president as the natural right of sovereign citizens," and claimed, "The Moon Jae-in administration tries not to allow the people even to criticize the president."

He added, "Just because they hold 180 seats, they have taken away the natural rights of sovereign citizens," pointing out, "This is the difference between Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in."

Yoon Young-chan, former Blue House Chief of National Communication, held a press conference on April 15 last month at the National Assembly to announce his joining of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Asia Economy DB

Earlier, former Professor Jin had claimed that President Moon was a "ceremonial president who reads speeches written by others." Some former Blue House officials rebutted this, leading to a dispute.

On the 10th, Jin attended a seminar hosted by the People's Party at the National Assembly Members' Office Building as a speaker and said, "He seems like a ceremonial president without a sense of problem," adding, "He has no personal opinions."

After this remark became known, former Blue House officials responded. Yoon Young-chan, a Democratic Party lawmaker who served as the Blue House's Chief of Public Communication, pointed out, "It is Jin Joong-kwon's freedom to imagine facts he has not seen, but if he is confident and talks about it in front of others, it becomes 'brainficial' (an unfounded claim)."

Choi Woo-kyu, former Blue House speech planning secretary, said, "I don't know where or from whom he confirmed to speak so definitively," adding, "It is clearly false."

As the controversy spread, former Professor Jin posted on Facebook that afternoon, "President Moon seems to have chosen friends (former President Roh) well but advisors poorly," and clarified, "It's not that President Moon doesn't proofread speeches, but that there is no personal philosophy in the speeches from the start."

He further criticized, "If you look at the speeches of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung or Roh Moo-hyun, you can read traces of intense reflection and a philosophy formed over a lifetime," adding, "This is missing in President Moon's speeches."

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