Jin Joong-kwon: "Whoever Holds Power, Things Won't Change Much"

"United Future Party must move beyond 'reactionary hardliners' to become a rational conservative"

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a lecture on the topic "Speaking about Korean Society: The Future of Ideology, Generation, and Culture" at the Economic and Social Research Institute seminar held on the afternoon of the 2nd at Choi In-ah Bookstore in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon raised his voice in criticism toward both the ruling and opposition parties.

On the 2nd, at a special lecture hosted by the Economic and Social Research Institute in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, former professor Jin strongly criticized, saying, "The possibility of the United Future Party changing is 10%, and the possibility of the Democratic Party of Korea changing is 9%. The future looks bleak."

He stated, "No matter who holds power, things do not change significantly," but added, "However, there is a responsibility to leave a better society for the next generation."

Former professor Jin said, "When you ask supporters why they support Roh Moo-hyun, they say 'because he was humble.' When you ask why they support Lee Myung-bak, they say 'because he seemed good at the economy.' When you ask why they support Park Geun-hye, they say 'because she seemed to follow her father well.' But when you ask why they support Moon Jae-in, they say 'Is Moon Jae-in your friend?' This is totalitarianism," he said.

He continued, "The Democratic Party is also captured by extremists. Only that person (President Moon Jae-in) represents the will of the people," and claimed, "This is a typical phenomenon seen in left and right-wing factions, Stalinism, and Nazism."

He added, "They pushed out Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl under the pretext of prosecutorial reform. When it comes to the mountain of power, they try to touch it but are blocked from doing so," and said, "Chasing out Prosecutor General Yoon has nothing to do with SillaJen or Yoo Si-min. The scenario is held by Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae."

Professor Jin advised the United Future Party, saying, "They should have a conservative identity but also give the centrist voters confidence that they are on the right side," and added, "When conservatism was strong, it was dynamic. At that time, it truly supported the country. They need to revive that confidence."

He cited examples such as the 'introduction of the National Pension and health insurance,' 'Northern Policy,' and 'introduction of the real-name financial system and eradication of the Hana Group,' emphasizing, "When conservatism was doing well, the policies were very radical. The United Future Party must break away from being 'reactionary hardliners' and become rational conservatives, cool conservatives."

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