Jin Joong-kwon to Lee Jae-myung: "A ruling party candidate praising Jeon Du-hwan? It shows how much the party has fallen apart"

Lee Jae-myung "Jeon Du-hwan's Merits and Demerits Coexist"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, on the 13th for saying "Jeon Du-hwan also had both merits and demerits," saying, "Is it imaginable that a Democratic Party candidate praises Jeon Du-hwan?"

On the same day, Jin wrote on his Facebook, "This shows how much that party has deteriorated."

He pointed out, "If Yoon Seok-yeol (People Power Party presidential candidate) does it, it's bad praise for Jeon Du-hwan; if Lee Jae-myung does it, it's good praise for Jeon Du-hwan. So-called intellectuals are spouting sophistry," adding, "It's pathetic what 5.18 meant to them."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and his wife Kim Hye-kyung visited the permanent market in Yecheon-eup, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk, on the morning of the 12th, greeting citizens.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 11th, Lee visited the Dabudong War Memorial in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk, and in an impromptu speech said, "Jeon Du-hwan also had both merits and demerits," evaluating, "Overall, Jeon Du-hwan effectively utilized the 'three lows boom' (low interest rates, low oil prices, low dollar) to prevent the economy from collapsing and to keep it functioning properly, which is indeed an achievement."

When controversy arose over the remark, the next day, after visiting the memorial tower at the Chupungnyeong Rest Area on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Gimcheon-si, Gyeongbuk, Lee explained to reporters, "In conclusion, I said he was a historical criminal who can never be forgiven, but selectively taking only part of that to politically attack is never desirable."

Regarding this, former professor Jin said on Facebook, "I recall that when Yoon Seok-yeol was attacked for selectively quoting his words, he apologized saying, 'I did not know that a politician's words can always be edited. What matters is how the words are heard by the public rather than my intention when speaking.'"

He added, "Lee Jae-myung is different. Anyway, it's very interesting to see those who used to foam at the mouth criticizing Jeon Du-hwan now defending him by saying he also did good things."

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