"Jin Joong-kwon, Who Insulted Party Members, Accepted for Reinstatement... Song Chi-yong, Justice Party Vice Representative, Resigns from Party Position, Suggesting Encouragement of Withdrawal"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Song Chiyong, the vice representative of the Justice Party, expressed dissatisfaction with the party's acceptance of former Dongyang University professor Jin Jung-kwon's reinstatement and resigned from his party position.

On the 29th, Vice Representative Song stated on Facebook, "Despite the difficult circumstances, you entrusted me with the role of vice representative in the recent early party officer election, but ultimately, I could not prevent the party's regression."

Vice Representative Song said, "My promise to you and my given mission was to represent the will of the party members more and revive the Justice Party," adding, "However, the party is increasingly distancing itself from the voices of its members and supporters."

He then mentioned the controversy surrounding Professor Jin's reinstatement. He said, "(Professor Jin) insulted the party and its members and effectively supported the 'anti-labor, anti-democracy candidate Yoon Seok-yeol' without any explanation for his actions, yet declared his reinstatement," adding, "However, before the reinstatement review even took place, the party leader and the Youth Justice Party leader issued welcoming messages."

He continued, "There was considerable opposition during the review meeting, but the reinstatement was ultimately approved."

Vice Representative Song criticized, "Although many party members are resigning due to the reinstatement approval, the party leader still demands that resignations be postponed until the local elections rather than listening to their voices and seeking ways to coexist within the party."

He also added, "The party leader and leadership have the duty to listen to diverse opinions about the party's development direction, engage in discussions, persuade, and lead the party, but they abandoned that mission long ago and have even appeared to encourage resignations."

He directly criticized, "Whenever contentious issues arise, party members with differing opinions have been treated as if they are not qualified members."

He lamented, "Over the past few years, hundreds and thousands of party members have repeatedly left the progressive party, which they supported and paid dues to for up to 20 years, and the Justice Party, their first-ever party, out of frustration. With Professor Jin's reinstatement this time, quite a few members will leave the Justice Party again."

Finally, he concluded, "I will now work for the party not as vice representative but as a party member and Gyeonggi Province councilor," adding, "I will find the reason for the Justice Party's existence again by working with citizens in the region."

Earlier, in January 2020, Professor Jin submitted his resignation from the party, criticizing the Justice Party's clumsy criticism and attitude toward the former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's incident. On the 21st, he announced on his Facebook, "I am going to Sim Sang-jung," and "I am rejoining the Justice Party."

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