"Jin Joong-kwon Directly Hits Im Eun-jeong: 'Like Spraying Perfume on Han Myeong-suk's Spokesperson'"

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a special lecture on "The Age of Post-Truth" at the National Future Forum seminar held on November 20 last year at the political culture platform cafe "House" in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Im Eun-jung, a researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office who claims to have been forcibly excluded from the inspection duties related to the alleged obstruction of justice in the case involving former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, by commenting on her Facebook post that it was like "spraying perfume on feces."

A comment by former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon on the Facebook page of Lim Eun-jung, Inspection Policy Research Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Photo by Lim, Research Officer, Facebook capture

On the 4th, former professor Jin left a comment with this content on researcher Im's Facebook post. Jin said, "It is an order from those in power to clean up after Han Myeong-sook," adding, "But since the evidence of the feces is too clear, it will only look like spraying perfume on feces. She herself does not want a retrial. Anyway, spray it diligently."

The phrase "evidence of the feces" appears to mean that the Supreme Court has already confirmed the solid evidence that former Prime Minister Han received illegal political funds from the late Han Man-ho, former CEO of Hanshin Construction. In 2015, the Supreme Court sentenced former Prime Minister Han to two years in prison for receiving 900 million won in illegal political funds. Additionally, it was revealed that Han's younger sibling used a 100 million won check issued by Han Man-ho as their jeonse (lease deposit) money, and after Hanshin Construction went bankrupt, 200 million won received from Han Man-ho was returned by Han's side.

In response, on the 2nd, researcher Im posted a statement claiming that "just seven days after being granted investigative authority, with 4 and 20 days left before the statute of limitations respectively, I was excluded from duties in the Han Myeong-sook obstruction of justice case under the orders of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and Deputy Prosecutor General Cho Nam-gwan," asserting that Prosecutor General Yoon excluded her from investigating the case.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office immediately rebutted, stating, "The Prosecutor General never assigned the case to researcher Im." In turn, researcher Im reiterated, "I have been investigating the case related to former Prime Minister Han for several months under the direction of the head of the inspection department," and added, "When I reported that I had detected criminal charges and intended to convert it into an investigation, I received a written directive stating that 'the head of Inspection Division 3 is the lead prosecutor.'"

On October 4 last year, Im Eun-jeong, then chief prosecutor of Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office, appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's National Police Agency audit held at the Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Subsequently, researcher Im publicly shared the inspection department's statement on her Facebook, saying, "Due to the Prosecutor General's order to transfer duties, it is very regrettable that we may lose the last chance to clarify the truth of the matter and to restore judicial justice, even if belatedly." Former professor Jin commented on this post.

Previously, Jin had pointed out on Facebook toward researcher Im, "The problem lies in those who compensate for insufficient ability with excessive loyalty gaining power," and added, "Those who faithfully perform their duties are driven out, and opportunists and careerists take their place?that is the problem."

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