"How Democracy Comes to an End" 'Jokuk Black Book' First Day 5,000 Copies Sold Out

Photo of the book cover 'A Country Never Experienced Before - How Democracy Comes to an End'

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] It has been confirmed that the first edition of 5,000 copies of the so-called "Cho Kuk Black Book" (A Country Never Experienced Before - How Democracy Ends), written by five people including former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon in response to the "Cho Kuk White Paper" (Prosecutorial Reform and Candlelight Citizens), sold out on its first day of publication on the 25th.

Seon Wan-gyu, CEO of "Millennium Imagination" who was in charge of editing, said in an interview with a media outlet on the 25th, "After the news of the book release was reported yesterday, orders of 500 to 1,000 copies each came in from several bookstores including the four major bookstores Kyobo Bookstore, Yes24, Aladin, and Interpark," adding, "We have gone into a reprint, but currently there is no stock, so we are asking for understanding as even the author’s complimentary copies are being shipped to bookstores."

Editor Seon also said, "We paid each of the five authors 1 million won as a discussion fee, totaling 5 million won, and decided to give them 2% royalties each," adding, "At that time, we wondered who would buy this book. It seems the authors met during difficult times, shared their thoughts, and supported each other."

The "Cho Kuk Black Book" involved former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon, lawyer Kwon Kyung-ae from the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, accountant Kim Kyung-yul from the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, parasitology expert Professor Seo Min from Dankook University, and science specialist reporter Kang Yang-gu from TBS. It was written in a format where one moderator and two experts hold a discussion.

This book is currently receiving attention, ranking first in the daily comprehensive bestseller list on online platforms Kyobo Bookstore, Yes24, and Interpark, and second on Aladin.

Photo by Jin Joong-kwon, former professor, Facebook capture

Meanwhile, former professor Jin posted on his Facebook on the same day, saying, "It only cost 5 million won to make this book. Discussion fees were 1 million won each," and added, "After the discussion, the authors took turns paying for the meals."

He also stated, "The 'Cho Kuk White Paper' team must transparently disclose where the 300 million won was spent," and criticized, "It’s a complete scam. Those people must be looting the country’s granary in the same way, right?"

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