Renowned Author Apologizes to Disappointing Justice Minister

South Korean Author Apologizes to Justice Minister and Professor

Renowned author Gong Ji-young has publicly expressed her disappointment in former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and offered her apologies to him and Professor Jin Joong-kwon. In her recently published novel, Gong revealed her inner thoughts, stating, “I realized that the person I had imagined Cho Kuk to be was not who he actually was.”

Gong, who had fervently supported Cho Kuk through social media, expressed her disbelief, saying, “I never could have imagined him to be that kind of person.” She further expressed her disappointment, stating, “I defended him and faced criticism, believing it was for the sake of patriotism and sacrifice. But now, I realize that I spoke without knowing anything. If he had apologized and admitted his mistakes when they were revealed, I wouldn’t have been so disappointed.”

Gong also extended her apologies to Professor Jin Joong-kwon, who had engaged in heated debates on social media regarding Cho Kuk’s appointment as Justice Minister. However, Gong clarified that her disappointment in Cho Kuk did not lead her to adopt a conservative stance. She emphasized that she would take a critical approach, evaluating each issue independently and not blindly supporting the younger generation. She described this as a departure from the ideology-centered comrades of the 1980s.

This is not the first time Gong has been involved in controversy related to Cho Kuk. In 2019, she voiced her support for Cho Kuk, criticizing the prosecution and the media. At that time, she stated on social media, “If Cho Kuk’s corruption had been proven, it would have been difficult to reform the prosecution.”

In her recent essay titled “Feeling Lonely Again,” Gong reflected on her past statements and her connection with the 86th generation.