Joeunsan "Moon Jun-yong, I never thought he would stubbornly take advantage again... It's truly sad"

"Our Life of Yielding Must Have Looked Foolish"

Moon Joon-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Jin-in Jo Eun-san, who gained attention for the 'Seven Proposals for the New Year' petition, criticized the controversy over the selection of artist Moon Jun-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in, for an art grant of 69 million won.

On the 22nd, Jo Eun-san posted news related to Moon on his blog, sarcastically saying, "This news makes me a little sad," and "And I am jealous. That confidence, I mean."

Jo Eun-san said, "There is one thing I have learned from wandering around here and there. Even if I am right, and even if I have a legitimate right, sometimes you have to know how to avoid and yield," adding, "That is exactly how the world works and how human life is lived by clashing together."

He said, "Sometimes giving up and yielding in our lives might have seemed quite foolish to him," and questioned, "How should the public perceive the behavior of the young master who stubbornly took the money that could have gone to others, as the son of the president and a son of a 2 billion won asset owner?"

Jo Eun-san then addressed Moon's reaction on the 21st to the controversy about himself, where Moon said, "If I take off my mask and jaywalk, would the police officers avoid me?" Jo responded, "As he said, the police officers would not avoid the president's son. They would just close their eyes," and added, "Just like the judges who had to watch the president's son applying for the grant with sweaty palms."

He continued, "Although he is a natural person with rights and a legitimate member of the public, and even if there are parts that go against public sentiment, we must acknowledge him, but to be honest, I never dreamed he would take that money again," and added, "Even if he received it, I wish he had spoken more politely. For the sake of his father, no less."

Last October, artist Moon Jun-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in, was explaining his artwork to the press at Paradise City in Yeongjongdo, Incheon./Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 18th, Moon announced on Facebook that he had been selected as a recipient of the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service's 'Art and Technology Convergence Support Project' grant.

He said, "I am informing you that I have been selected for a grant of 69 million won," adding, "It is something to be congratulated on and something to be proud of, but I worry that some people might not see it that way." This statement was made in light of the fact that Moon was selected last year for the 'COVID-19 Emergency Art Support' project and received 14 million won from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which sparked controversy over favoritism.

However, the controversy over favoritism continued with this grant selection as well. The opposition party raised suspicions, saying, "We do not wish any disadvantage to the president's son, but we will thoroughly verify whether he received preferential treatment through implicit pressure."

In response, on the 21st, Moon protested, "The judges chose me because I showed my face, so why do you keep spreading such distrust without basis?" reaffirming the 'procedural legitimacy' of the grant selection.

Nevertheless, criticism of Moon remains. Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, said, "I want to believe that Moon Jun-yong legitimately earned the grant through his ability," but added, "What annoys the public is Moon's frivolous attitude of boasting about being selected for the grant himself, praising himself, and calling it an honorable and congratulatory matter."

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