'101-Year-Old Philosopher' Criticized by Jeong Cheol-seung... Kim Young-hwan Calls It "Inhumane, Unfilial Language"

Attorney Jeong Cheol-seung Criticizes '101-Year-Old Philosopher' Professor Kim Hyung-seok for "Aging Phenomenon"
"Interviewed with Japanese Right-Wing Media Criticizing Government Diplomacy"
Kim Young-hwan: "Attorney Jeong, Where Have You Lived... Beyond Discrimination, It's Anti-Life"

On the 1st, lawyer Jeong Cheol-seung criticized '101-year-old philosopher' Kim Hyung-seok, Honorary Professor at Yonsei University, in a post on his Facebook. / Photo by Jeong Cheol-seung Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Kim Younghwan, a former lawmaker assisting Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General, criticized lawyer Jeong Cheolseung, saying he used "language of impiety." Previously, Jeong had sharply criticized Kim Hyungseok, a Yonsei University emeritus professor known as the '101-year-old philosopher,' stating that Kim "gave harsh criticism of the government's diplomacy in an interview with a Japanese right-wing media outlet," and called it "a pitiful sign of aging."

On the 1st, Kim Younghwan wrote on his Facebook, "Did I hear wrong? Where on earth does Jeong Cheolseung live?" and pointed out, "His words are language of impiety that embarrasses all of us living under the same sky in the same era."

He continued, "His words go beyond discriminatory logic; they are inhumane and anti-life. Perhaps due to my ignorance, but I have never heard such words from anyone, anywhere," adding, "I have heard that when an elderly person passes away, a library is lost, but the idea that one should not live long is the thinking of an unheard-of nobody. It is the most incomprehensible sophistry I have ever heard."

He emphasized, "Professor Kim Hyungseok is healthier and more rational than any young person," and "As a disciple who respected him by reading his writings during difficult authoritarian times, I declare that the elderly professor had nothing to be ashamed of when looking up to the sky."

Interview article with Professor Kim Emeritus published on the official website of the Japanese Sankei Shimbun / Photo by Internet Homepage Capture

Lawyer Jeong, who served as the legal representative for the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, strongly criticized Professor Kim, saying that Kim made remarks critical of the Moon Jae-in administration in an interview with Japan's Sankei Shimbun, stating, "This is why the old saying that living long is dangerous came about."

The content Jeong referred to was an interview article published on the official website of Sankei Shimbun on the 30th of last month. In the interview, Professor Kim claimed, "President Moon Jae-in is obsessed with wanting to be respected like a patriot who participated in the anti-Japanese movement."

In response, Jeong wrote on Facebook on the 1st, "Why is it that in the past 100 years, he did not do such things with a sound mind, but only started after becoming senile?" adding, "If this is a sign of aging, it is a pitiful matter. Recently, he even gave an interview to a Japanese right-wing media outlet, pouring not criticism but condemnation on the Moon administration's diplomacy with Japan. Shouldn't someone stop this elderly gentleman?"

Professor Emeritus Kim Hyung-seok, Yonsei University. Photo by Yonhap News

He went on to say, "Professor Kim served as a university professor since the Syngman Rhee administration and never criticized the regime's anti-democratic and anti-human rights actions for over 60 years, but recently, after surpassing 100 years of age, he has been deliberately making critical remarks about the Moon administration."

Meanwhile, Professor Kim, who turned 101 this year, defected from North Korea in 1947 and has worked as a professor in South Korea, engaging in lectures and writing. He has published various books such as 'In Search of the Meaning of Life,' 'Having Lived a Hundred Years,' and 'There Is No Pathless Road,' earning the nickname '101-year-old philosopher.'

Earlier in March, former Prosecutor General Yoon, who stepped down from his position, reportedly visited Professor Kim's residence and had a two-hour conversation, receiving various pieces of advice.

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