"Are You Sure Afghan Refugees Have No Taliban Ties?" Jo Kyung-tae's Remark Draws Jin Joong-kwon's "This Is Trash" Response

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon sarcastically commented on People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae, who argued that the acceptance of Afghan refugees should be stopped, saying, "It would be good if they negotiated with the Taliban and exchanged them for refugees."

On the 29th, former professor Jin posted Cho's recent press conference content on his Facebook, saying, "Where should I throw away this kind of trash?" and made this sharp remark.

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon posted on his Facebook on the 29th, criticizing Kwon Seong-tae, a member of the People Power Party. Photo by Former Professor Jin's Facebook capture.

Earlier, on the 25th, lawmaker Cho held a press conference and issued a statement saying, "I cannot understand the Moon Jae-in government, which plans to send transport planes to bring refugees, even though the U.S. military has abandoned plans to accept refugees in Korea." That day was when the government's plan to transfer local Afghan collaborators to Korea, called the 'Miracle Operation,' was revealed.

At the time, Cho criticized, "Can we be sure that none of the 400 Afghans brought here because they cooperated with our country are connected to the Taliban?" He added, "While we cannot even accept the 300,000 North Korean defectors, accepting Islamic refugees with completely different religions and cultures solely for humanitarian reasons is absolutely unacceptable."

He then cited examples of European countries actively accepting refugees. Cho said, "Countries like Germany and Sweden, which have actively accepted refugees, are already struggling with refugee issues," adding, "In Sweden, there are reportedly dozens of extraterritorial zones controlled by refugees."

He continued, "In France, which brought Afghans earlier than us, the government is facing a crisis after evidence surfaced that five people were connected to the Taliban," and "Among them, two reportedly came to France due to their contributions in assisting French embassy staff during the Kabul takeover."

Meanwhile, on the same day in the morning, Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Jong-moon announced the 'Miracle Operation' during an online briefing. He explained, "Our government has been working to transfer about 380 people, including local staff who supported our government activities in Afghanistan, their spouses, minor children, and parents, to Korea," adding, "They are currently entering Kabul Airport and are scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport on the 26th using our military transport plane."

Deputy Minister Choi emphasized, "They are not refugees but special contributors entering the country."

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye also stated at a briefing held at Incheon Airport on the 26th, "These individuals are collaborators who contributed to our government in Afghanistan," and "They will receive more consideration in terms of living expenses, settlement support, and education than refugees."

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