Jin Joong-kwon: "Democratic Party, 'Reform of Party Spirit' Impossible... No Subject for Reform"

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the support rate for the Democratic Party of Korea was overtaken by the United Future Party, Rep. Lee Nak-yeon, who is running for party leader, said, "The party needs a reform of its ethos." On the 14th, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized this, saying, "It is a correct diagnosis. The problem is that 'reforming the party's ethos' is impossible."

On the same day, former professor Jin wrote on his Facebook, "To carry out reform, there must be an agent, but there is none. The party's hegemony is held by the pro-Moon faction. Below them, the enforcer groups run amok," he said.

He added, "The other lawmakers, excluding these, are like bureaucratic officials with no convictions, only interested in preserving their lawmaker badges," and said, "So they only faithfully play the role of yes-men, watching the atmosphere."

Furthermore, former professor Jin pointed out, "Moreover, those who speak harshly have already been shown the 'bitter taste of the organization.' In such a situation, who would raise their voice?" Earlier, the Democratic Party had excluded former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who expressed opinions differing from the party line on the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit, from nomination and disciplined him.

He named the next-generation candidates as the only agents capable of reform but said, "That is also a problem." He said, "To become the 'next,' one must receive support from the party, but they are not in a position to dare to put a brake on the pro-Moon faction's dominance. Even those who made somewhat harsh remarks immediately switched to a flattering mode after running for the Supreme Council election," he sarcastically remarked.

Former professor Jin also evaluated Rep. Lee Nak-yeon as "not a charismatic leader who would risk danger to break through the situation anyway." Regarding Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, he said, "He started by saying that the public seems to have some new expectations, but he must know well that he cannot take a step further from that statement."

Regarding the Democratic Party's support rate being overtaken by the United Future Party, he predicted, "It must have been greatly influenced by the public's resentment toward the behavior the Democratic Party has shown so far," and added, "Once the public's anger subsides to some extent and the initial confusion caused by real estate policies is resolved, the support rate may recover."

However, he pointed out, "Since the party is in a state of decline, it will show a downward trend in the long term. Unless the party changes, accidents will continue to occur."

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