Im Jong-seok Mentions Park Won-soon Again: "Behind the Pain and Confusion... Reflection and Evaluation Must Take Place"

The day before: "Late Park Won-soon, the most honest public official"
Park Young-sun asks Im Jong-seok to "refrain"

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok is causing controversy by posting another message on the 24th defending the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, whom he previously described as "the most honest public official I know."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Im said, "Seoul is a representative metropolis. Various interests and demands collide, and expectations and evaluations of Seoul's city administration inevitably differ," adding, "Generally, during the mayoral terms of Lee Myung-bak and Oh Se-hoon, speed and efficiency were emphasized, whereas under Mayor Park Won-soon, safety and welfare stood out."

He continued, "There are many critical views regarding Mayor Park Won-soon's administration. The criticism is that he ignored the order of the market and corporate efficiency," and said, "However, Mayor Park Won-soon's election is evidence that the thoughts of Seoul citizens have changed."

Referring to the late mayor, he said, "His perspectives and philosophy did not satisfy all of Seoul's demands, and at times he was criticized for being overly stubborn and unaware of worldly matters," emphasizing, "At this point, after the pain and confusion, as we hold another election, reflection and evaluation of these issues must also take place."

Finally, Im concluded his post by saying, "We still have to live tomorrow, and the philosophy and direction Seoul takes after April 7 are more important to ourselves and our children than any past."

Earlier, Im had also mentioned on his Facebook the previous day, "Was Park Won-soon really such a terrible person? If integrity is still an important ethic for public officials, he was the most honest public official I know."

In particular, he emphasized, "Park Won-soon was the most sensitive and progressive person regarding future values and everyday issues," and added, "I hope his passion, which tirelessly tried to fill rigid administration with human warmth and breath, is not buried."

Meanwhile, Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, requested restraint regarding Im's defense of the late mayor.

On the morning of the same day, Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "While it is difficult to speak about personal freedom of expression, since the wounds of the victimized women have not healed, I think it would be better to refrain from remarks that touch those wounds."

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