This Time a Book About 'Ppalchisan'... Meaningful Book Recommendation by Former President Moon

President Yoon's 'Jusapa' Remarks, Political Sphere Ideological Debate Awareness Analysis
"Understanding and Reconciliation in a Misaligned Era and Ideology" Book Recommendation Gains Attention
Previously Recommended "The Power of Geopolitics" Saying "A Must-Read for Current Government Officials"

Former President Moon Jae-in is having a conversation while receiving a visit from Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the new party leadership at his private residence in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan City, Gyeongnam, on August 29. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The book recommendations made by former President Moon Jae-in after his retirement have become a hot topic. The books he mentioned have seen a surge in sales or have become bestsellers, drawing significant attention. Since June, former President Moon has recommended about ten books, and some interpret this as him indirectly conveying messages about the political situation through these books.

On the 23rd, former President Moon introduced a book titled on his Twitter and Facebook. This book is about a daughter who had a father who was a former guerrilla fighter, reflecting on his life while holding his funeral. It covers modern history over the past 70 years since liberation through various episodes. Former President Moon commented on the book, saying, "It has already been recognized by winning the Yosan Literature Award, but I want to recommend it further," and praised it by saying, "I am impressed by the author's ability to resolve understanding and reconciliation in a distorted era and ideology through a humorous writing style." He added, "I feel a heavy heart when recommending books."

Regarding former President Moon's book recommendations, some interpret them as being conscious of President Yoon Suk-yeol's remarks on 'Jusapa' and the recent ideological debates in the political arena. Earlier, President Yoon said at a luncheon with out-of-parliament People Power Party district committee chairpersons, "If you sympathize with liberal democracy, whether progressive or leftist, cooperation and compromise are possible, but Jusapa who follow North Korea are neither progressive nor leftist. Cooperation with hostile anti-state forces is impossible." The Democratic Party responded with backlash, saying, "Isn't this a remark targeting the opposition?"

Earlier, on the 12th during the National Assembly audit, Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, referred to former President Moon as a "Kim Il-sungist," leading to his ejection from the audit session, sparking an unexpected color-based political debate between the ruling and opposition parties. Analysts interpret former President Moon's book recommendations as expressing concern about these political situations.

There have been previous instances where books recommended by former President Moon were interpreted as political messages. In July, he recommended a book titled , stating, "I would also like to recommend this book to officials of the current government." This book argues that the fate of the Korean Peninsula was determined by geopolitics, not ideology, among major powers, and advocates for establishing a peace regime between South and North Korea for the peninsula's benefit. At that time, as the presidential office and ruling party intensified attacks and pressure related to the West Sea public official shooting incident and the forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen, some interpreted former President Moon's recommendation as a veiled criticism.

Additionally, in June, former President Moon recommended a book titled , which examines the background of anti-China sentiment and explores Korea-China relations. At that time, it was analyzed as a critique of the current government's diplomatic stance aimed at checking China.

Meanwhile, as the books recommended by former President Moon gained popularity and became bestsellers, he expressed gratitude, saying, "I am very pleased that my book recommendations help the publishing industry, which is facing difficulties. This has been my reason and purpose for recommending books for a long time." He added, "However, bestsellers are made not by my recommendations but by good books," and said, "They are the result of the efforts of authors and publishers. My recommendations are just one opportunity for readers to encounter good books."

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