Jin Joong-kwon says Han Dong-hoon 'struck the Democratic Party's weak spot' with Roh Moo-hyun allegations

Jin Joong-kwon, a professor at Dongyang University, said independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's move to raise allegations related to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun was "a calculated political maneuver that struck precisely at the Democratic Party's weakness."

Jin made the remarks Tuesday on the YouTube channel Sisajournal TV, commenting on the background of Han's recent allegations involving Roh and the ensuing exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties.

"The Democratic Party has long used Roh Moo-hyun's name as a political myth — a shield to maintain its power base," Jin said. "Han has hit that nerve squarely, and the party is badly rattled."

Jin also raised the question of funding for a US apartment linked to the family of Roh's daughter as a separate issue.

He argued that tracing the source of those funds could lead to further allegations. "If a quid pro quo were confirmed in the process of identifying where the money came from, it could become a bribery matter," he said. "But since Roh himself has passed, any investigation into him cannot proceed due to the absence of the right to prosecute."

Jin also weighed in on the back-and-forth between Han and Kwak Sang-eon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and Roh's son-in-law. "Kwak challenged Han to produce evidence, but Han fired back with precise questions," Jin said. "Through that exchange, Han's political standing and stature rose considerably."

He then addressed the Democratic Party's response, in which it characterized Han's remarks as an insult to the deceased. "The opposition's reaction — essentially 'how dare you bring up Roh Moo-hyun' — shows it cannot mount a logical rebuttal," Jin said. "Han exposed the opposition trying to hide behind a sacred cow."

Jin concluded that the controversy had worked to Han's political advantage. On the heated online debate surrounding the issue, he said, "Han has cracked the opposition's most powerful political asset," adding that the episode was "not simply a revisiting of a past investigation, but a trigger that is shaking the current political landscape."

However, Jin drew a line, saying Han's offensive should not be seen as a personal attack on Roh himself — warning it could alienate centrist voters who hold fond memories of the former president. "It could have a very negative effect on centrists who cherish memories of Roh Moo-hyun," he said. "The sentiment would be: 'You may be right — but does it really need to be dug up this far?'"