Jin Joong-kwon: "Yoon Seok-yeol Has Improved a Lot... Hong Joon-pyo Seems to Have Lost His Edge"

Impressions of the 6th TV Debate of Opposition Presidential Candidates
"I hope Won Hee-ryong makes it to the top 4"
"Hwang Kyo-ahn is just annoying... Choi Jae-hyung seems to be moving towards the far right"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon compared the debate skills of the People Power Party's presidential candidates and mentioned the names of those he hopes will pass the second preliminary round (cutoff).

On the 6th, Jin wrote on his Facebook, "Yoon (former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol) has improved a lot," and evaluated, "He temporarily pushed aside Yoo Seung-min and Ha Tae-kyung."

He added, "His apology regarding the character 'Wang' was good, but it would have been better to also apologize for the disguised party member remarks," and "Even if some joined the party for strategic voting, overall, they can be ignored."

On the previous day (the 5th), during the 6th debate of the People Power Party's presidential primary candidates held by KBS, former Prosecutor General Yoon explained the so-called 'palm Wang (王) character' controversy.

On that day, Yoon apologized for suspicions that he had inscribed a Chinese character on his palm for astrological reasons, saying, "I apologize to the public," and bowed his head, stating, "I did not write it. It was just a form of support, and my fault was not taking it seriously."

On the 5th, the 6th presidential candidate broadcast debate of the People Power Party was held at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul. From the left, Yoo Seung-min, Ha Tae-kyung, Ahn Sang-soo, Choi Jae-hyung, Hwang Kyo-ahn, Won Hee-ryong, Hong Joon-pyo, and Yoon Seok-youl, the preliminary candidates for the presidential primary, are preparing for the debate. / Photo by Yonhap News

In the previous three TV debates, regarding why the character Wang was written on his palm, he explained, "A few supporters gathered at the apartment; twice it was written small, and the third time it was written large," and "Even after wiping it, it did not come off."

Former Professor Jin continued to evaluate other candidates. He pointed out, "Hong (Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo) seems to lose ground every time he debates. His sharpness is not what it used to be," and criticized, "Choi (Candidate Choi Jae-hyung) seems to have decided to take the far-right path."

Regarding former Future United Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, he said, "It makes me sigh," and "Still, he was once the prime minister of a country, but I wondered if his intellectual level was only this much. Ahn Sang-soo at least provides laughter with ridiculous jokes, but Hwang only causes annoyance," strongly criticizing him.

However, about former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, he said, "I hope he makes it to the top four," and gave a generous evaluation, "He is not a bad sparring partner. The quality and level of the debates will generally rise."

Meanwhile, this 6th debate was the last People Power Party TV debate before the second cutoff. The second cutoff voting, starting on the 6th, reflects 30% party members' votes and 70% public opinion polls. The cutoff results will be announced on the 8th, reducing the existing eight candidates to four.

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