Corruption 'Custom' of Cho Kuk... Remarks by Ruling Party's Newly Recruited Youth Spark Controversy, Opposition Parties Criticize in Unison (Comprehensive)

Oh Young-hwan, a former firefighter and the 5th talent recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting speech at the recruitment event held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 7th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Oh Young-hwan (32), a former firefighter who joined the Democratic Party of Korea as the 5th recruited talent, said on the 7th regarding the allegations of admission fraud involving the children of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, "The actions that parents conventionally took at the time were excessively exaggerated in the reports," sparking growing criticism from opposition parties.

Jeong Gyeong-sim, wife of former Minister Cho and a professor at Dongyang University, is suspected of forging a certificate of commendation in the name of the university president where she was employed for her children's admissions. Additionally, former Minister Cho is currently indicted on charges including taking online exams on behalf of his son at an American university together with his wife.

Immediately after Oh's remarks, opposition parties voiced strong criticism. The Liberty Korea Party and the Bareunmirae Party labeled Oh as a 'Talent Disaster (Injae, 人災)' and strongly condemned him.

The Korea Party pointed out that he "has a distorted way of thinking," while the Bareunmirae Party called him "an outstanding talent (Injae, 人災) fitting for a party with moral insensitivity."

Hwang Gyu-hwan, youth spokesperson for the Korea Party, released a statement saying, "We expected Oh to represent the voices of young Koreans demanding fairness and justice, as well as firefighters who serve the nation with sweat, but his distorted mindset is deplorable."

He added, "Claiming that things are unfair just because they differ from his thoughts, being trapped in the delusion that only they represent justice, and blaming others for unwanted outcomes are all reflections of the Democratic Party we have seen so far."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk [Image source=Yonhap News]

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Kim Jeong-hwa, spokesperson for the Bareunmirae Party, also commented, "The Democratic Party's talent recruitment, which cannot even distinguish between customs and illegality, is becoming a spectacle," adding, "(The recruited talent) should not become a special talent who rationalizes injustice without guilt, a mere figurehead for vested interests who only looks decent."

She continued, "If the Democratic Party intends to recruit 'people who have only learned bad customs' against public sentiment and the law, they should honestly confess that it is a talent (Injae, 人災) recruitment."

Some netizens have also expressed disbelief. One netizen pointed out, "It is surprising how the family of the Minister of Justice, who should comply with the law, can consider the allegations of fraudulent exams as a mere custom."

Earlier, at a press conference held at the National Assembly on the same day, Oh responded to the question, 'As a young person, how do you view the Cho Kuk political situation?' by saying, "Of course, (former Minister Cho) may have faults. But the media has blown small faults out of proportion, instilling distrust and suspicion among the public, which is very frightening."

Regarding the prosecution's investigation into former Minister Cho's family, he said, "Since the case is currently under investigation, it is not appropriate for me to carelessly express my judgment and thoughts," but emphasized, "It has become an opportunity to reflect on how fearful prosecutorial power is and why there is a need for a force to check it."

Won Jong-geon, the Democratic Party's 'Recruitment Talent No. 2,' is giving his remarks at the National Assembly on December 29 last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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Meanwhile, Won Jong-geon, announced as the 2nd recruited talent on December 29 last year, expressed in an interview with a media outlet that while former Minister Cho has problems, the prosecution's investigation also has issues.

In an interview with Hankook Ilbo on the 7th, Won said, "There are certainly wrong parts regarding former Minister Cho's moral laxity." However, he added, "The prosecution investigating former Minister Cho also seems to have problems," emphasizing, "If you ask whether the prosecution conducted the investigation from the perspective of fairness and justice, I think it did not, which is regrettable."

Meanwhile, posts criticizing the remarks of Oh and Won are flooding the Democratic Party's member bulletin board on its website. Some party members responded with comments such as "It's just a false equivalence. It suits the Korea Party," "Hypocrisy," and "Failed talent recruitment."

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