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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Roh Moo-hyun's son defends Yoo Si-min amid foundation controversy

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Noh Gun-ho, son of former President Roh Moo-hyun, defended author Yoo Si-min, calling him a valuable intellectual.
  • Noh acknowledged concerns raised by lawyer Kwak Sang-eon regarding Yoo's prominent presence on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's YouTube channel.
  • Noh urged continued support for the foundation despite recent internal conflicts.

Noh Gun-ho, the son of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, has publicly supported author Yoo Si-min, describing him as a "valuable intellectual" who deserves respect, regardless of political alignment or personal preferences. Noh's statement comes amid a controversy surrounding Yoo's role at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

Regardless of political alignment or personal preferences, he deserves to be respected and highly evaluated as a valuable intellectual.

โ€” Noh Gun-hoExpressing his view on Yoo Si-min's standing.

Noh expressed his appreciation for Yoo's contributions to the foundation, stating that Yoo has been instrumental in drawing member and public interest and fostering accessible discourse. He views Yoo's involvement as a significant contribution to the foundation and society that cannot be easily replaced.

This support follows criticism from Kwak Sang-eon, Roh Moo-hyun's son-in-law and a Democratic Party lawmaker. Kwak pointed out that Yoo appears in 68% of the foundation's YouTube videos, while content directly related to the former president constitutes only 360 out of 2,010 videos. Kwak also questioned the live broadcast of Yoo's book launch event on the foundation's channel, likening it to a bakery promoting its owner instead of its bread.

I believe it is a contribution to the foundation and social contribution that others cannot easily replace.

โ€” Noh Gun-hoAcknowledging Yoo Si-min's significant role at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

In response to Kwak's remarks, Yoo Si-min requested to step down as an honorary advisor to the foundation, citing a desire to prevent potential difficulties for the foundation due to his future critical activities. The foundation accepted his resignation.

The Kwak Sang-eon's remarks and judgment are entirely his own, and it is not a matter for me to intervene.

โ€” Noh Gun-hoAcknowledging but distancing himself from Kwak Sang-eon's criticisms.

Noh Gun-ho acknowledged Kwak's long-held views and concerns, stating that he recognizes their validity. However, Noh emphasized that Kwak's statements and judgments are his own and not a matter for Noh to intervene in. Reflecting on the current turmoil, Noh remarked, "Politics is inherently a power struggle, and all of this will pass." He urged supporters to remain steadfast with the foundation after the current "sandstorm" subsides, focusing on what remains in its wake.

Politics is inherently a power struggle, and all of this will pass. What is important is what remains after a sandstorm passes.

โ€” Noh Gun-hoOffering a broader perspective on the internal conflicts within the foundation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.