Jin Joong-kwon: "Lee Jun-seok is engaging in 'low-level' politics... Approaching issues superficially and phenomenally"

"Inciting Emotions and Provoking Anger Among Some Members of the Public"

On the afternoon of June 20 last year, Professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a special lecture at the inaugural general meeting of the 'Hope 22 Companion Forum' held at a cafe in Dalseo-gu, Daegu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, for his critical remarks regarding the subway commute protests by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon), saying he is "engaging in low-level politics."

On the 29th, Jin appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpanseungbu' and said, "There is no philosophy, no culture, no knowledge, so the approach to this issue is very superficial and phenomenological."

He added, "They are inciting the emotions of some of the public and stirring up anger to raise their own approval ratings."

Earlier that day, Lee appeared on YTN Radio's 'Hwangbo-seon's Starting New Morning' and responded to criticism that his use of the term 'hostage' was 'hate politics' by saying, "'Don't use people as hostages in protests' is an idiomatic expression."

He continued, "Since there is no problem with the content of what I said, people are questioning how I can talk about disabled people like that," pointing out the 'sanctification' of minority politics.

Jin criticized, "When you listen to what the youth members of the People Power Party say, 'the right to citizens' mobility is important,' it implies that disabled people are not citizens."

Jin emphasized, "To be honest, if I am late because disabled people are protesting while I am in a hurry, I would be annoyed, but those people have experienced such inconvenience their entire lives," adding, "This is exactly what protests make people think about."

He continued, "If you are a politician, you should go and say, 'Everyone, you are angry, right? You are uncomfortable, right? But those people have lived like this their whole lives.' You should say, 'We (politicians) have failed to guarantee basic rights. Therefore, we should apologize.' That is what politicians should do."

He also referred to the last presidential election TV debate, where then Justice Party candidate Sim Sang-jung, in her closing remarks, said, "The political sphere is responsible for failing to guarantee even the right to mobility for disabled people," and said, "It is the duty of politicians to make it so that such protests are unnecessary."

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