Jin Joongkwon Criticizes Jang Donghyuk's Visit to Yoon: "Only the Democratic Party Is Excited... Gave Them a Lifeline Amid Mounting Scandals"

Jang Donghyuk Visits Yoon Seokyeol at Seoul Detention Center
Jin Joongkwon: "All That Remains Is the 'Yoon Again' Faction"
"Even Knowing It's a Path to Ruin, He Has No Choice but to Follow It"

As Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, visited former President Yoon Sukyeol, Jin Joongkwon, a special professor at Kwangwoon University, pointed out that "only the Democratic Party is excited." On the 19th, Professor Jin commented on his social media, "Jang may believe he simply used the 'Yoon Again' faction as a tactic to win the leadership, but it is not such a simple matter," opening his remarks.

Jang Donghyuk, Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Professor Jin stated, "In the process of getting elected, moderates and rational conservatives have become alienated from the People Power Party, so all that remains for him is the 'Yoon Again' faction." He continued, "Even if he now tries to shift to a more moderate line, the moderates and rational conservatives, who already saw his true colors during the party leadership election, will never trust the sincerity of this opportunist. Meanwhile, the hardline supporters are not flexible enough to allow him to move toward the center. So, even though he clearly knows it is a path to ruin, he has no choice but to keep going down that road."

He added, "Even if he changes his stance now, it will only result in losing the last remaining group of supporters. In that case, he will be left isolated, and the party's leadership system will collapse." He further explained, "He is well aware that this could be a major setback in next year's local elections, but the reason he chose to visit is that he finds the criticism for not visiting more burdensome than the criticism he would face for visiting."

He went on to say, "He promised to visit if he became leader to win votes from that side during the party leadership election, so now it's hard for him to back out." He added, "No matter how much he tries to appeal to his situation as party leader who has to run an election, it won't work. The hardline supporters are fundamentally 'extremists' who are far removed from strategic thinking or tactical flexibility."

He concluded, "In any case, only the Democratic Party is excited." He explained, "Just as negative issues such as the Kim Hyunji case, Baek Haeryong case, and the Yangpyeong civil servant case were piling up, the leader of the main opposition party has given them breathing room." He added, "Even if their approval ratings drop, the Democratic Party is confident that those votes will never go to the People Power Party. That is why they have acted out so boldly, and why they will continue to do so."

Former President Yoon Sukyeol attended the first trial on charges of "obstruction of special official duties and abuse of authority to interfere with the exercise of rights" held on the 26th of last month at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Jang Donghyuk announced on the 18th that he had visited former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is currently detained at the Seoul Detention Center. Through social media, he said, "Yesterday morning (the 17th), I visited President Yoon Sukyeol," and added, "Even in difficult circumstances, he was firmly armed with the words of the Bible and prayer." He continued, "Let us unite and fight together to save the free Republic of Korea from collapsing under a left-wing regime and to protect the peaceful lives of our people."

Baek Seunga, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized on the 18th during a briefing, "This is practically a public declaration to deny the illegal martial law and impeachment, and is far-right agitation." Baek added, "By invoking 'prayer' and 'struggle,' Jang is glorifying the main culprit of insurrection," and asked, "Are you dreaming of becoming a 'second Yoon Sukyeol' by following the path of former President Yoon, who denied the Constitution?" She continued, "The time for the constitutional dissolution of the unconstitutional party is approaching," and added, "This is the People Power Party's self-inflicted consequence, and they are stamping their own confirmation."

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