"Jeon Du-hwan's Politics Were Good," Yoon Says... Won Hee-ryong Asks, "Was the Samcheong Education Center and Student Water Torture Really Right?"

Strong Criticism of Yoon's Historical Awareness
"The Historical Awareness of Someone Aspiring to Be President Is at That Level"

People Power Party presidential candidate and former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong criticized the historical awareness of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, who defended former President Chun Doo-hwan, saying, "I was appalled. Another infuriating day."

Earlier on the morning of the 19th, Yoon, who visited the Busan Haeundae Gap Party Member Council, stated that he would appoint experts to implement system politics, saying, "Many say that except for the military coup and the May 18 incident, former President Chun made mistakes, but he was truly good at politics," adding, "People from Honam also say that."

He continued, "Why do they say he was good at politics? Because they entrusted him. He was in the military and managed organizations, so they entrusted him. People who were in politics at that time said, 'You who know the National Assembly well should handle it,' and handed over most matters," elaborating, "Although there was the 'three lows' phenomenon at the time, things went well because they entrusted him."

In response, former Governor Won appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpanseungbu' on the same day and said, "Sending people to the Samcheong Education Center, confiscating all property from businesspeople, enacting media control laws, torturing students with waterboarding?was that something good?" He added, "We need to consider whether Yoon should continue as a candidate. It's that serious."

When the host asked, "Are you saying he should even consider withdrawing his candidacy?" Won replied, "I don't want to say that."

Won further questioned, "The historical awareness that someone aspiring to be the president of South Korea in 2021 should have carries that much weight. Are you saying you want to fight with all the people who have the nightmare memories of the May 18 incident and the Fifth Republic, and those who stood up during the June Struggle? Are you trying to educate us now?"

Regarding the fact that he once visited former President Chun to perform a New Year's bow, Won explained, "At that time, I brought dried pollack and dried pollack strips to former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Kim Young-sam, and Chun Doo-hwan alike, performed the same New Year's bow, had a cup of tea, and left. It was not praise for Chun Doo-hwan." In January 2, 2007, when Won was running for president, he stirred controversy by visiting former President Chun to perform a New Year's bow.

Yoon Seok-yeol, People Power Party Presidential Pre-candidate Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, as public criticism of his historical awareness grew, Yoon quickly issued a clarification. After attending the 'Yoon Seok-yeol National Campaign Gyeongnam Election Committee Appointment Ceremony' held at the People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party Headquarters, Yoon stated, "He made many mistakes during his seven years in power, and it's not that he did everything well politically," adding, "From the perspective of delegation of authority, there are lessons to be learned, which is something that subsequent presidents and experts say, and some people from Honam also say."

He continued, "What was done well was done well, and I clearly said that the May 18 incident and the military coup were wrong. Whenever I say something, people cut off the beginning and the end, but if you look at the full statement, it's all there," he defended.

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