Jin Joong-kwon "Why is Kim Boo-kyum's brother-in-law a problem? It's not the Joseon Dynasty"

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

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] The wife of former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum lamented that her husband is "in an embarrassing situation" because of her own older brother, former Seoul National University professor Lee Young-hoon, author of the 'Anti-Japan Tribalism.' In response, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon pointed out on the 4th, "Does the guilt by association still exist?"

On that day, former professor Jin wrote on his Facebook, "Even if Professor Lee Young-hoon is not my wife's brother but his own older brother, I don't understand why this is a problem," he said.

Professor Jin pointed out, "In a democratic society, a person is responsible only for their own thoughts and statements as an individual," adding, "It seems that supporters of other candidates are launching negative attacks against candidate Kim Boo-kyum over this issue."

He continued, "This is not the Joseon Dynasty when three generations were exterminated, nor the 3rd or 5th Republic era when guilt by association was enforced in the 21st century. What on earth are they trying to achieve by reviving it?" He said, "The mentality is the same, just the side is different. Society is going backwards."

Earlier that day, Ms. Lee Yu-mi, wife of former lawmaker Kim, expressed through Kim's Facebook, "I heard that bad words are spreading about lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum because of Professor Lee Young-hoon, and I am lamenting with a heavy heart," adding, "I don't know what to do as I am in an embarrassing situation due to my own older brother."

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