"Is This Why We Fought for Democratization?"... Jin Joong-kwon Criticizes the Act on Honoring Democratic Merit Recipients

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a greeting at the first lecture of the On-Gukmin Study Room titled "What is Justice in Our Time" held on the morning of June 10 at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Amid controversy over special privileges regarding the "Act on the Treatment of Democratic Meritorious Persons" proposed by Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, former Dongyang University professor Jin Jung-kwon criticized, saying, "Is this why you fought for democratization? It is an insult to the democratization movement."

On the 9th, former professor Jin shared an article about Representative Woo on his Facebook, sharply questioning, "Did you fight for democratization to create a society where your own children enjoy special privileges by taking away opportunities from others' children?"

He continued, "I understand that compensation has already been made through existing laws, so I don't understand why it is necessary for their children to receive special treatment in admissions or employment," adding, "Wasn't the democratization movement about creating an equal, fair, and just society? It wasn't to grant exceptional status to the children of those who participated in the movement," he criticized.

Furthermore, he pointed out, "The problem with the Democratic Party people is this: they take it for granted that their children receive special privileges just because they were involved in the movement," and said, "If you were busy chanting 'the people' during the movement, then take care of those whose families have been ruined by industrial accidents while working hard in the country's economy during that time."

Additionally, former professor Jin targeted those who support Representative Woo's bill by calling them "Nomenklatura." Nomenklatura refers to the privileged class in the former Soviet Union, who outwardly spoke of revolution, socialism, and utopia, but lived detached from workers and used power for their own selfish interests, implying corrupt authority.

Meanwhile, the "Act on the Restoration of Honor and Compensation for Persons Related to the Democratization Movement," proposed primarily by Representative Woo, stipulates support for tuition fees, preferential treatment in admissions, and additional points in employment for democratic meritorious persons and their families. It is known that 20 lawmakers, including Woo Sang-ho, Yoon Mi-hyang, Jung Chung-rae, and In Jae-geun, jointly proposed this bill along with Representative Woo.

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