'Why is Kim Jong-in whining?' to Cha Myung-jin... Kim Geun-sik says "Mind your own business with the United Party"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, visited the Gwangju 5.18 Democratic Cemetery, knelt down, and shed tears while paying respects. This act was criticized as "ridiculous" by former United Future Party lawmaker Cha Myung-jin.

On the 20th, former lawmaker Cha posted on Facebook, "If you are ashamed of your past as a National Security Planning Agency agent during 5.18, you should reflect on yourself alone. Why drag the innocent United Future Party into this, kneel down, sob, and make a fuss?" he criticized.

He said, "Isn't it like bad (foster) parents who steal outside and run away, then pretend to be good parents by apologizing on behalf of their child, saying it's their child's responsibility? Reflect on yourself, not the United Future Party," he added.

Former lawmaker Cha was disciplined with a recommendation to leave the party due to his "Sewol Ferry remarks" during the last general election and left the party shortly after. During this process, Kim Jong-in, who was then the general election campaign chairman, said, "I do not recognize him as a United Future Party candidate."

In response to Cha's attack, Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam National University and chairman of the United Future Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, rebutted, saying, "Mind your own business regarding the United Future Party."

He said, "Stop tarnishing the democratization movement any further, mind your own business about the United Future Party, and focus on recovering from COVID-19," adding, "As a fellow alumnus in political science and comrade in the democratization movement, I am no longer angry or surprised by the senior's stubbornness and distorted thinking."

Professor Kim said, "Why criticize Chairman Kim's repentance for 5.18? Is it because you are upset that the United Future Party has broken ties with the Taegeukgi faction? Since you are no longer a party member, please mind your own business about other parties," and added, "The United Future Party leader's kneeling apology and repentance was something that should have been done long ago."

He continued, "The shameful history where the main culprit of the 5.18 massacre was the party chairman, and the outrageous remarks by United Future Party lawmakers who belittled 5.18 and did not hesitate to claim North Korean involvement, were shameful aspects of our party that must be broken away from and repented," and questioned, "What exactly is wrong with our party leader officially repenting for past mistakes?"

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