Joo Jin-woo is Yoon Seok-yeol Family: Jin Joong-kwon on 'NaGgomSu Internal Conflict' - "Kids' Mentality"

Kim Yong-min, Former 'Nakkomsu' Member, Questions Joo Jin-woo: "Doubt If We Are on the Same Side"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon sarcastically criticized Kim Yong-min, a former member of the podcast radio show "Naneun Ggomsuda" (NaGgomSu), saying, "Distinguishing friend from foe, huh, not even kids." Earlier, Kim had raised suspicions about the so-called "Yoon Seok-yeol family" regarding fellow 'NaGgomSu' member reporter Joo Jin-woo.

On the 4th, Jin shared an article related to Kim on his Facebook, commenting, "Look at the mentality. Our side, one side, the same side, distinguishing friend from foe. Not even kids," and pointed out, "Remember the words of Nazi legal scholar Carl Schmitt? The essence of the political is the distinction between friend and foe."

He then quoted Kim's remark that "the clearer the front line, the clearer the 'friend-foe distinction' should be," adding, "Since NaGgomSu is so famous, interest seems to be focused on the 'NaGgomSu internal conflict,'" and raised suspicions, "Is there a dispute among pro-Moon (친문) people over handling Yoon Seok-yeol and Choo Mi-ae?"

He also sarcastically criticized, "But whose side is (Kim) Eo-jun on? Joo Jin-woo's side or Kim Yong-min's side?" and said, "Anyway, we warmly welcome the defection of comrade Joo Jin-woo, the 'Jin Joong-kwon inside' among them."

Podcast radio 'Naneun Kkomsuda' panelists commentator Kim Yong-min, Ddanzi Ilbo chief Kim Eo-jun, and SisaIN reporter Joo Jin-woo (from left) / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the previous day (the 3rd), Kim raised suspicions on Facebook, mentioning reporter Joo by name, questioning whether he had a close relationship with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. He also demanded that Joo respond to public inquiries to clear up the suspicions.

Kim said, "There are quite a few who firmly believe that reporter Joo Jin-woo is on our side," but pointed out, "However, having observed Joo Jin-woo's actions and statements from a relatively close position, there have been many reasons to doubt whether he is truly on the same side."

He continued, "I hope my suspicions are wrong. But I have come to the painful conclusion that it is reasonable to see him as part of the 'Yoon Seok-yeol family,'" and posed "four questions" to reporter Joo.

In particular, in the inquiry, Kim pointed out that Joo had previously said, "After Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae issued investigative directives against Prosecutor General Yoon, Joo visited Minister Choo and argued that the investigative directive against Yoon was unjust," and questioned, "Wasn't this an attempt to block Minister Choo's investigative directive under the guise of public opinion?"

Journalist Joo Jin-woo, a member of 'Naneun Ggomsooda'. Recently, Joo received strong criticism from some supporters of President Moon Jae-in for expressing critical views about Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae during his radio show. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, reporter Joo Jin-woo, who had built a friendship with Kim while co-hosting 'NaGgomSu' in 2011, faced criticism from some pro-Moon figures and netizens after expressing critical views of Minister Choo on his radio show on the 26th of last month.

At that time, on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live,' Joo mentioned, "Participation Solidarity, progressive groups, and the Justice Party say, 'Isn't Minister Choo Mi-ae going too far?'" He also pointed out the next day (the 27th) that the so-called 'judge surveillance documents' were "poorly made documents said to be surveillance information created by prosecutors."

Joo's remarks sparked harsh criticism in some pro-Moon online communities, with comments such as "Is he a pro-prosecutor reporter?" and "Yoon Seok-yeol's secret (unofficial) power."

In particular, on the 2nd, Kim posted on his Facebook, "There seems to be a very harsh time of decision approaching for me, who once regarded A like family and vowed to fight with everything against attempts to harm him," and lamented, "I was seriously betrayed by A, and even now, just thinking about it makes me furious." Some netizens interpreted this as a veiled criticism of reporter Joo, as Kim did not mention Joo by name but referred to him as A.

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