Yoo Si-min: "Cho Kuk, Writing Books Was a Good Choice... How Else Could He Live If Not Like This"

Yoo Si-min Resumes 'Alileo Books' YouTube Channel After Three Months
Featuring Kim Un-ho, CEO of Hangilsa, Publisher of 'The Time of Jo Guk' and 'The Flag of Chu Mi-ae'

Yoo Si-min, Chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, and Cho Kuk, former Minister of Justice (from left). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, commented on former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's memoir "The Time of Cho Kuk," saying, "I thought (Cho Kuk) did well to write this book. If he didn't do this, how else could he live?"

On the afternoon of the 13th, Yoo said on the foundation's YouTube broadcast "Alileo Books," which resumed after about three months, "Professor Cho Kuk sent me a copy of the book as soon as the printing was done. He marked a couple of places where I was mentioned with Post-it notes and sent it to me."

The broadcast featured Kim Un-ho, CEO of Hangilsa, who published "The Time of Cho Kuk" and "The Flag of Chu Mi-ae." Kim said, "'The Time of Cho Kuk' is intellectual," adding, "The events that took place in such a short period, the suffering endured by former Minister Cho, are not just simple politics but reflect the concerns our society faces. I thought it needed to be documented," explaining the reason for publishing.

He continued, "It is very unfortunate," and said, "I don't think this is just a personal issue for Professor Cho. It is a challenge that all of us must overcome and reorganize anew." When lawyer Cho Su-jin asked, "In what way?" Kim replied, "The various behaviors of the prosecution."

He also said, "The book has completely sold over 300,000 copies," adding, "It seems this book serves as a kind of confession to the public."

Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, is hosting the foundation's YouTube channel 'Alileo Books' on the 13th. / Photo by Roh Moo-hyun Foundation YouTube capture

Chairman Yoo said, "How wonderful it is that this publishing industry exists," adding, "For those who have been wronged, at least this exists so they can tell their story to others. Without this path, how could they live?"

He also pointed out, "Most of the stories that ordinary citizens encountered through the media about the Cho Kuk family controversy initially came from the prosecution. Based on that prosecution information, journalists poured out criticism, and political opponents unleashed curses that dominated the world for the first few months," adding, "While a front line was formed and the Seocho-dong rallies were held, and somewhat different voices were heard, there was no opportunity for his own voice to be conveyed, right?"

He added, "There was an information desire to hear his own story, and on the other hand, even without personally knowing him, just from the image and situation reflected in the media, one could guess that (former Minister Cho) must have been suffering greatly. So, there was an emotional urge to listen to the voice of someone in pain. I think these combined to create an explosive demand in a very short period."

Chairman Yoo also compared "The Time of Cho Kuk" to the works of independence activist and historian Park Eun-sik, such as "Korean History" and "The Bloodshed History of the Korean Independence Movement."

He said, "What impressed me was that he recorded everyone who received titles and land from the Japanese colonial government. He also recorded who refused at the time," adding, "Because this was recorded, after 100 years, we can know who accepted titles and who refused. Reading Park Eun-sik's books made me realize how truly important records are. It has that kind of significance."

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