Jin Joong-kwon: "Sim Sang-jung's Apology Is Absurd... Progressive Politics Needs a Generational Change"

Former Professor Jin: "Sim Representative Already Showed Limited Judgment When Thrown Out After Acting as Democratic Party's Second Faction"

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] On the 14th, as Representative Sim Sang-jung apologized following statements by Justice Party lawmakers Ryu Ho-jeong and Jang Hye-young, who expressed support for the woman who exposed the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's sexual misconduct, former Dongyang University professor Jin Jung-kwon criticized, saying "This is absurd."

On the same day, Jin posted on his Facebook, saying, "I am throwing away the last shred of trust I had in this person."

Jin said, "When they were already discarded after acting as the Democratic Party's second squad, their political judgment showed its limits. How soon after that incident do they repeat the same mistake?" He added, "Progressive politics needs a generational change. It would be better to trust the sensibilities of young people and hand over the party's leadership to them."

Earlier that morning, at the Justice Party's parliamentary meeting, Representative Sim stated, "If the messages from the two lawmakers (Ryu Ho-jeong and Jang Hye-young) hurt the bereaved families and citizens' feelings of mourning, I sincerely apologize as the party leader."

She continued, "Our position, both mine and the Justice Party's, is that expressing condolences during the funeral period and showing solidarity with the victim are not mutually exclusive. As the Justice Party has always been at the forefront of social change, we believe that intense internal debates are part of the process that strengthens and matures the party."

Meanwhile, on the 10th, Lawmaker Ryu posted on her Facebook, "I do not intend to pay respects (to Mayor Park)," expressing support for the victim.

On the same day, Lawmaker Jang also comforted the victim through her Facebook, saying, "I cannot mourn as if nothing happened. What must be unprecedentedly carried out is a thorough investigation into sexual violence by high-ranking officials through hierarchical power, not the Seoul Mayor."

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